Founding Bylaws

Exploratory draft · Presented for reading and discussion.

Model adopted by the Founding Convention on [date]. These bylaws should be reviewed by California election counsel before formal adoption or filing.

Article I — Name and purpose

1. The name of this political body is Commonwealth of Freedom. Its electoral label shall be Commonwealth Party, subject to approval by the California Secretary of State.
2. The Commonwealth of Freedom is organized to advance its Statement of Purpose and Ten-Point Plan; organize Californians; develop and support candidates; participate lawfully in elections; and build democratic institutions capable of securing human freedom and shared prosperity.
3. The organization shall operate as a political organization and political committee where required by law. Nothing in these bylaws authorizes conduct that conflicts with California election law, the Political Reform Act, federal campaign-finance law, or applicable tax law.

Article II — Membership

1. Any person who supports the party’s Statement of Purpose, follows its Code of Ethics, and completes the membership process may become a member.
2. Supporter, volunteer, donor, and voting-member categories may be established by rule, provided that those categories do not conflict with election law or the rights of California voters.
3. Voting membership in party governance shall be defined in a membership rule adopted by the Convention. The rule shall be publicly available and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or economic status.
4. Members may resign at any time. Suspension or removal requires written notice, a fair opportunity to respond, and an appeal process established by rule.

Article III — Founding Convention and Convention authority

1. The Founding Convention shall designate the party name, adopt these bylaws, adopt the initial platform, and elect temporary officers.
2. The Convention is the highest policy-making body of the party between national or statewide conventions.
3. A regular State Convention shall be held at least once every two years. Notice, delegate selection, quorum, voting, and remote participation shall be established by convention rules published at least 30 days in advance.
4. The Convention shall approve or amend the platform, elect permanent officers, adopt a budget, receive financial and ethics reports, and establish statewide priorities.
5. No platform amendment may be adopted without public notice and an opportunity for members to review the proposed language.

Article IV — Officers and Executive Council

1. The temporary officers are Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and any additional officers elected by the Founding Convention.
2. Permanent officers shall be elected by the State Convention for two-year terms. No officer may serve more than three consecutive terms in the same office unless the Convention approves an exception by a two-thirds vote.
3. The Chair is the principal public representative and presides over the Executive Council and Convention. The Chair may not unilaterally alter the platform, endorse a candidate, spend party funds outside the approved budget, or bind the party to a major alliance.
4. The Vice Chair assists the Chair and assumes the Chair’s duties when the Chair is unavailable.
5. The Secretary maintains minutes, notices, membership records, bylaws, resolutions, and official correspondence.
6. The Treasurer safeguards party funds, maintains accurate books, ensures timely filings, presents regular financial reports, and may not release funds without documented authorization.
7. The Executive Council consists of the officers and representatives elected under the chapter and delegate rules. It manages day-to-day operations between Conventions and must act within the platform, budget, and these bylaws.
8. Vacancies may be filled temporarily by the Executive Council, subject to confirmation at the next Convention. The Chair and Treasurer may not be removed by the same vote without an independent presiding officer.

Article V — Chapters and local organization

1. Members may form county, regional, campus, workplace, or issue chapters under a uniform chapter charter.
2. Chapters may organize, educate, register voters, and recommend candidates, but may not use the party name, solicit funds, or make endorsements outside approved rules.
3. Chapters shall keep their own minutes and financial records and shall report activities and finances to the Secretary and Treasurer.
4. No chapter may endorse a candidate or position inconsistent with the adopted platform without a documented waiver approved by the Executive Council and disclosed to members.

Article VI — Candidates and endorsements

1. Candidate recruitment and endorsement shall be open, transparent, and based on published criteria, including competence, integrity, commitment to the platform, and compliance with the Code of Ethics.
2. The party shall not endorse a candidate solely because of personal loyalty, donor status, family relationship, or leadership preference.
3. Candidates must disclose required financial interests, conflicts, campaign consultants, and significant campaign funding sources.
4. Endorsement rules shall provide reasonable notice, member participation, equal opportunity for candidates to present their views, and a clear appeal process.
5. Candidates endorsed by the party must sign the Code of Ethics and Transparency Pledge. A serious violation may result in withdrawal of endorsement after notice and a fair hearing.

Article VII — Finance and records

1. Party funds shall be used only for lawful party purposes and shall never be distributed for the private benefit of an officer, member, donor, or candidate.
2. The Treasurer shall maintain a separate party bank account and complete all required federal, state, and local registrations and reports.
3. The party shall adopt an annual budget. Expenses outside the budget above the threshold set by financial rule require approval by the Executive Council; payments to an officer or related party require disinterested approval and disclosure.
4. The party shall publish quarterly financial summaries and all reports required by law. It shall disclose donors and vendors when legally required, while protecting personal information not required to be public.
5. The party shall conduct an annual internal review and an independent financial review or audit when required by law, donor restriction, or Convention rule.
6. No officer or member may accept a contribution that the party is prohibited from accepting. The Treasurer shall return or refuse unlawful contributions.

Article VIII — Ethics, accountability, and member protection

1. All officers, staff, delegates, candidates, and appointed representatives shall sign and follow the Code of Ethics and Transparency Pledge.
2. The Ethics and Accountability Committee shall receive complaints, protect complainants from retaliation, investigate impartially, and recommend corrective action.
3. A person accused of misconduct shall receive notice of the allegation, access to relevant evidence where appropriate, and a fair opportunity to respond. Emergency temporary measures may be used to protect people or records, but are not a final finding.
4. The party prohibits harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misuse of confidential information, financial self-dealing, undisclosed conflicts, and abuse of organizational authority.
5. The party shall maintain a confidential reporting channel and publish an annual summary of ethics complaints, findings, and corrective actions without exposing protected personal information.

Article IX — Amendments and dissolution

1. Amendments may be proposed by the Executive Council or by a petition signed by at least [10%] of voting members.
2. Proposed amendments must be distributed at least 30 days before the Convention and require a two-thirds vote unless a higher threshold is required by law.
3. If the party dissolves, remaining assets shall be transferred to a lawful political organization or public-purpose entity selected by the Convention, consistent with applicable law. No assets shall be distributed to Hprivate individuals.

Article X — Construction and severability

1. If any provision conflicts with applicable law, the law controls and the remaining provisions remain in effect.
2. These bylaws shall be interpreted to preserve member participation, public accountability, minority rights, and the lawful ability of the party to organize and advocate.