THE
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP REPUBLICAN MUNICIPAL COMMITTEE
IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET
AND THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1: NAME
This organization shall be known as the Franklin Township Republican Municipal Committee,
hereinafter referred to as the Municipal Committee.
Section 2: PURPOSE
The purpose of the Municipal Committee is to promote loyalty to the United States of America
and to the State of New Jersey; to support their respective constitutions and to maintain the
principles of the Republican Party; to encourage the candidacies of qualified Republicans to public
office in order to ensure sound legislation and competent administration; to screen, select, and
endorse Municipal Candidates; to participate in the screening, selection , and endorsement of State
and County candidates; to resist and expose political corruption; to promote honest and free
elections; and to encourage public attention to and discussion of civic issues, policies, and the
conduct of Federal, State, and Local government officials.
ARTICLE II
AUTHORIZATION AND LIMITATIONS
Section 1: AUTHORITY
These By-Laws are in accordance with the provisions of Title 19, Elections, of the Revised Statutes
of the State of New Jersey as amended and supplemented, hereinafter referred to as Title 19.
Municipal committees in general and this Municipal Committee in particular are authorized and
controlled by Title 19. Any conflict between these By-Laws and the provisions of Title 19 shall be
resolved in accordance with Title 19, unless superseded by court order.
Section 2: FREEDOM TO ACT
The Municipal Committee shall be free to act in all instances to achieve its stated purpose, except
where restricted by law or statute. Activities are generally left to the discretion of the Municipal
Committee.
Section 3: FUNDING AUTHORITY
The Municipal Committee may receive and expend funds for the furtherance and aid of endorsed
candidates of the Republican Party approved by the Municipal Committee, in accordance with the
process outlined in Article VII, Section 3, of these By-Laws.
Section 4: REVIEW OF BY-LAWS
These By-Laws shall be reviewed every two years by an ad hoc Committee appointed by the
Municipal Chair elected during that year.
Section 5: RATIFICATION
These By-Laws must be ratified every presidential election year by the Municipal Committee and
will be effective for the term of that Municipal Committee. The By-Laws shall remain in effect
until such ratification occurs at the organization meeting of the elected Municipal Committee.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Municipal Committee shall consist of and be limited to registered
Republican voters of Franklin Township, Somerset County, in the State of New Jersey. The official
Franklin Township Republican Municipal Committee list is maintained by the Somerset County
Clerk. Members of the Municipal Committee are simultaneously members of the Somerset County
Republican Committee, hereinafter called the County Committee.
Section 2: DEFINITION
The membership of the Municipal Committee shall be determined by the results of the primary
election and shall consist of two members who shall be elected from each election district for a
two (2) year term in even-numbered years. A certification of election by the Clerk of Franklin
Township shall be construed as proof of election for the purpose of determining membership in
the County and Municipal Committees. Except for the Municipal Chair, the term of office for each
Municipal Committee member shall be from the Monday following the certification of their
election until the Monday following the certification of the primary election two (2) years hence.
The term of office for the Municipal Chair shall begin with election to Municipal Chair at the
organization meeting of the Municipal Committee and end with the election of a successor at the
next even-numbered year organization meeting of the Municipal Committee.
Section 3: RESIGNATION
A member may resign from the Municipal Committee by completing current County protocol and
providing a written resignation to the Chair and/or the First Vice-Chair. At that time, a vacancy
shall be deemed to exist. Resignation from either the Municipal or County Committee shall be
construed as a resignation from both Committees.
Section 4: VACANCY
A vacancy shall be deemed to exist for a Municipal Committee seat if the electorate in any election
district fails to elect an eligible resident, as defined in Article III, Section 1 of these By-Laws, or
if the electee declines the position, or in the event of death or resignation. A vacancy on the
Municipal Committee, howsoever caused, may be filled for the duration of the unexpired term by
a vote of the remaining members of the Municipal Committee. All eligible candidates for vacancies
shall be nominated at a meeting and voted on at the following meeting by the remaining members
of the Municipal Committee.
ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION
Section 1: ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
The organization meeting of the Municipal Committee shall be held following the certification of
the primary election at a date, hour, and place to be designated by the Chair of the outgoing
Municipal Committee in a notice given to each member elect. The organization meeting must take
place on a date pursuant to the requirements of Title 19. At this meeting, as the first order of
business per Robert’s Rules of Order, the members of the new Municipal Committee shall elect a
suitable person as Chair to hold office for the term of the Municipal Committee. The office of
Municipal Chair is not restricted to members of the Municipal Committee, but the person must
otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of Article III, Section 1 of these By-Laws.
Section 2: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The Municipal Committee shall elect suitable persons to the following offices to assist the Chair
in administering the duties and policies of the Committee. This group of people shall constitute
the Executive Committee and shall be elected to serve in the following positions:
1. First Vice-Chair
2. Second Vice-Chair
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
The holding of these officer positions shall be restricted to members of the Municipal Committee,
and no member shall hold more than one officer position. These officers, along with the Municipal
Chair, shall comprise the Executive Committee.
Section 3: VACANCY OF OFFICERS
In the event of a vacancy in any officer position on the Executive Committee, excluding the
Treasurer and Municipal Chair, said vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the next
assembled Municipal Committee meeting.
Section 4: VACANCY OF TREASURER’S OFFICE
In the event of a vacancy in the office of Treasurer, the Municipal Chair shall immediately make
a temporary appointment. The Treasurer position shall be permanently filled by a majority vote of
the next assembled Municipal Committee meeting.
Section 5: VACANCY OF MUNICIPAL CHAIR’S OFFICE
In the event of a vacancy in the office of Municipal Chair, said vacancy shall be filled by a majority
vote of the next assembled Municipal Committee meeting. It shall be the duty of the First Vice-Chair,
within twenty-one (21) days, to call a special meeting of the Municipal Committee to fill such vacancy for
the balance of the term. This call for the special meeting is to be issued and the meeting held within
thirty (30) days after such vacancy occurs. If for any cause the First Vice-Chair fails to call and
hold such special meeting, then the Second Vice-Chair shall issue the call within fifteen (15) days
thereafter. The Chair of the Somerset County Republican Organization shall be notified in case of
any dispute arising between members of the Municipal Committee which cannot be settled by said
membership and prevents a new Municipal Chair from being elected.
ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Members of the Executive Committee shall:
1. Executive Committee members will file a conflict-of-interest disclosure form at the
beginning of their term and must update it promptly as necessary throughout their tenure.
2. Assist the Municipal Chair in developing strategies to implement Municipal Committee
policies and establish ad hoc committees.
3. Act as a sounding board for the Municipal Chair before the Chair presents proposed
policies to the Municipal Committee.
4. Recommend modifications to Municipal Committee policies.
5. Make recommendations to the Municipal Committee as to the expenditure of Committee
funds.
6. Establish procedures for the screening, selection, and endorsement of municipal candidates
which shall further the mission of the Municipal Committee and implement the same.
Section 2: MUNICIPAL CHAIR
The Municipal Chair shall:
1. Preside at all meetings of the Municipal Committee.
2. Perform all duties required of the office by law, by these By-Laws, and by the County
Committee By-Laws.
3. Administer the policies of and be spokesperson for the Municipal Committee. The Chair
shall generally act in accordance with the advice and consent of the Municipal Committee,
but may act independently in matters requiring discretion or urgency. Such actions shall
always be subject to the approval of the Municipal Committee, and it shall be the Chair’s
duty to call a special meeting in all instances where a policy decision so dictates.
4. Authorize the expenditure of all funds, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee,
and appoint an independent auditor.
5. Appoint other ad hoc positions, as deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.
6. Attend County Committee meetings.
7. Present a post-election debrief to the Municipal Committee.
Section 3: FIRST VICE-CHAIR
The First Vice-Chair shall:
1. Assume the duties of the Municipal Chair in the Chair’s absence.
2. Assist the Municipal Chair as requested.
3. Maintain and safeguard membership contact information and the Municipal Committee’s
electronic account sign-in information, excluding banking information, for official
Municipal Committee approved purposes only.
Section 4: SECOND VICE-CHAIR
The Second Vice-Chair shall:
1. Assume the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair and the First Vice-Chair.
2. Assist the Municipal Chair and First Vice-Chair as requested.
Section 5: SECRETARY
The Secretary shall:
1. Record and maintain an accurate record of the proceedings of each regular and special
meeting of the Municipal Committee and distribute this record prior to the succeeding
meeting.
2. Present the minutes of each regular and special meeting of the Municipal Committee for
approval by the members of the Municipal Committee at the succeeding meeting and
furnish access to the approved minutes to all Municipal Committee members.
3. Maintain attendance records of all meetings.
4. Prepare correspondence as authorized by the Municipal Committee and maintain a file of
all communications.
5. Provide a copy of the By-Laws to each Municipal Committee member.
6. Manage all communications coming from the Municipal Committee, including press
releases.
7. Issue e-mail notifications regarding meeting times and locations.
Section 6: TREASURER
The Treasurer shall:
1. Oversee all funds and revenues.
2. Maintain accounting ledgers for all income/receipts and expenditures and provide a balance
sheet and profit and loss reports, in writing, to the Executive Committee quarterly.
3. Maintain a bank depository for all funds.
4. Share access controls to the bank depository with the Chair.
5. Issue checks signed by any one (1) of the four (4) officers of the Municipal Committee and
the Treasurer.
6. Pay all bills authorized by the Municipal Chair.
7. Prepare all financial reports required by all government agencies, Republican Party
committees, and Municipal Committee By-Laws, and any other reports at the request of
the Municipal Chair.
8. Have all finances of the Municipal Committee available for audit.
9. Prepare an income and expenditure report for the two (2) year term of the Executive
Committee, together with starting and ending fund balances, to be presented at the
Municipal Committee organizational meeting, along with a report audited by at least two
(2) other Municipal Committee members who are not on the Executive Committee.
10. Provide monthly bank statements to the Chair.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS AND VOTING
Section 1: ADDITIONAL MEETINGS
In addition to the annual Municipal Committee organization meeting, additional meetings shall be
called from time to time at the discretion of the Municipal Chair. It shall be the duty of the
Municipal Chair to hold a minimum of four (4) Municipal Committee meetings each year.
Section 2: SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings may be requested by a petition to the Municipal Chair signed by fifteen percent
(15%) or more of the members of the Municipal Committee. The Municipal Chair shall call a
special meeting of the Municipal Committee within 15 days after receipt of said petition. The
meeting notice shall be in writing and shall be postmarked or e-mailed no fewer than fourteen (14)
days prior to said meeting. In the event that such notice is undeliverable, the Municipal Chair shall
notify said Committee member in writing, and said notification shall be postmarked no fewer than
seven (7) days prior to said meeting. The agenda of special meetings shall be included in the
meeting notice.
Section 3: QUORUM
A quorum for all meetings is defined as the presence of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the
Municipal Committee members. Where proper notice of the organization meeting is given, a
quorum shall exist within thirty (30) minutes after said meeting is called to order and shall continue
to exist until the meeting is adjourned. All elections, resolutions, questions, and other matters to
come before the Committee shall be decided by a majority vote of those Municipal Committee
members present, unless stated otherwise herein.
Section 4: ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Municipal
Committee in all cases that they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these
By-Laws and any special rules of order the Municipal Committee may adopt.
ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF MUNICIPAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Section 1: CHALLENGER DUTIES
It shall be the duty of each member of the Municipal Committee to serve as a challenger or
recommend the name of another eligible individual to each Republican candidate in the general
election. The final choice of challengers, however, rests with the candidate.
Section 2: COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION MEMBERSHIP
It shall be the duty and privilege of each member of the Municipal Committee to recommend to
the Somerset County Board of Elections the name of one legal voter residing in Franklin Township,
who has been a registered Republican voter for three (3) successive years, to serve as a member of
the district Board of Elections. These recommendations shall be forwarded to the Municipal Chair
seven (7) days prior to the date required for their presentation to the Somerset County Board of
Elections. The final choice of district board members, however, rests with the County Board of
Elections.
Section 3: SCREENING OF CANDIDATES
It shall be the duty and privilege of each member of the Municipal Committee, along with currently
elected Republican officials in Franklin Township and Republican candidates in Franklin
Township, to participate in the Municipal Committee’s screening, selection, and endorsement of
municipal candidates. In order to vote in the Municipal Committee’s candidate screening process,
each Committee member shall attend at least one half, fifty percent (50%), of the required meetings
held by the Municipal Committee in the year prior to the screening meeting, and shall be a
Municipal Committee member of record as of Election Day of the prior year. A meeting is defined
as any Municipal Committee meeting or County Committee meeting to which attendance of the
entire Municipal Committee was requested.
Section 4: COUNTY COMMITTEE DUTY OF MEMBERS
In order to vote in the Somerset County Republican Organization’s candidate screening process,
each Municipal Committee member shall attend at least one half, fifty percent (50%), of the
required meetings held by the Municipal Chair, in the year prior to the screening meeting, and
shall be a Committee member of record as of Election Day of the prior year. A meeting is defined
as any Municipal Committee meeting or Somerset County Republican Organization meeting to
which attendance of the entire Municipal Committee is requested. To determine eligibility to
participate, up to two attendance credits will be awarded for volunteer activity during the preceding
year. Volunteer activity will be comprised of ninety (90) consecutive minutes of assistance
supporting Franklin Township and/or Somerset County Republican candidates for tasks including,
but not limited to, phone calls, literature drops, lawn sign distribution, and fundraising activities.
Not more than one attendance credit can be accrued in a single day. The Municipal Chair will
retain records of the organization's volunteer activity. Committee members must notify the
Municipal Chair of any additional qualifying participation in writing or by e-mail at least ten (10)
days prior to the screening in question. Judgment on the award of attendance credits will be made
by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 5: NON-COMMITTEE MEMBERS VOTING PRIVILEGES
In addition, all current Republican officials holding elective office, who currently reside in
Franklin Township and who have attended at least half of the Municipal Committee meetings in
the prior year, shall be entitled to participate in the screening, selection, and endorsement of
Municipal candidates, and shall be entitled to vote. Qualified currently elected offices include: (a)
Governor; (b) United States Senator; (c) United States Representative; (d) New Jersey State
Senator; (e) New Jersey State Assemblyperson; (f) Somerset County Commissioner; (g) Somerset
County constitutional officers (Sheriff, County Clerk, and Surrogate); (h) Franklin Township
Mayor; and (i) Franklin Township Council Member. Each individual has one vote.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 1: AMENDMENTS
Amendments to these By-Laws shall be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of Municipal
Committee members present at either the annual organization meeting or at any meeting where
proper notice is given, called for the purpose of amending these By-Laws. When a meeting is
called to amend these By-Laws, the proposed amendment shall be stated in the meeting notice,
which shall be postmarked or e-mailed not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting date.
In the event that such is undeliverable, the Municipal Chair shall notify said Municipal Committee
member in writing, and said notification shall be postmarked no fewer than seven (7) days prior to
said meeting.
ARTICLE IX
REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
Section 1: LACK OF CONFIDENCE PROCEEDINGS
Lack of Confidence Proceedings may be instituted against any or all officers of the Municipal
Committee by a written petition of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the members of said
Committee. In the event of such action, a special meeting in accordance with the procedure
described in Article VI, Section 2, of these By-Laws shall be called by the highest-ranking member
of the Executive Committee who is not the subject of the Lack of Confidence Proceedings. A full
discussion of all reasons for the alleged lack of confidence shall ensue. If, after proper notice and
hearing, two-thirds (2/3) of the members present vote against the accused officer(s), his/her
resignation(s) shall be requested. If no such resignation is forthcoming within thirty (30) days, the
office(s) shall be deemed vacant and shall remain vacant until a successor is elected by the
Municipal Committee in accordance with Article IV, Section 3, of these By-Laws.
Adopted: September 28, 1976
Amended: October 17, 2024