Constitution of the Socialist Party of New York State
ARTICLE I: Name:
The name of this organization shall be the Socialist Party of New York State, hereinafter called “the party”.
ARTICLE II: Purpose:
The purpose of the party is to establish by democratic means a new society base d on democratic socialism in which democracy is extended from politics to the economy and where the production of goods and services is based on human need instead of private profit; a society in which all exploitation has been abolished and where human rights will come before property rights.
ARTICLE III: Membership:
Section 1: Every person who is a resident or citizen of the state of New York who subscribes to the principles of the party shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2: Every applicant for membership shall sign the following membership application: “I, the undersigned, desiring to bring about by democratic means a new society based on democratic socialism, hereby apply for membership in the Socialist Party of New York and subscribe to its principles”.
Section 3: Applications for membership shall be acted upon by the state committee in unorganized areas and by the locals in organized areas.
ARTICLE IV: Local Organizations: Section 1: Local organizations may be chartered by the state committee upon the application of five or more members. Local organizations may be chartered on either a geographical or functional basis.
Section 2: Local organizations shall consist of all members residing in the area designated in its charter.
Section 3: Local organizations shall have full power over admission, transfer and expulsion of members, subject to appeal to the state committee, National Action Committee, and National Committee.
Section 4: Applicants for membership may join whichever local organization is most suitable for their place of residence and activities, subject to the jurisdiction of the local organizations concerned.
Section 5: Local organizations shall keep membership and finance records and may hold public meetings, forums, classes, demonstrations, strikes, and other functions.
a. Local organizations shall represent the National organization and the state organization in the area designated for their jurisdiction.
b. Local organizations may nominate candidates for public office representing the area in their jurisdiction.
ARTICLE V: State Conventions:
Section I: State conventions of the party shall be held at least once a year. The time and place shall be determined by the state committee.
Section 2: State conventions may be either general meeting of members, or based upon elected delegates. If a convention is to be a general meeting of members, approval shall be required by at least two-thirds of the locals in good standing, through a vote of each local’s members. If a convention is to be based upon delegates, the state committee shall establish the basis for representation.
Section 3: The call for the state convention shall be mailed to all members at least fifteen (15) days before the opening day of the state convention. This notice shall include the time and place and specify the nature of business coming before the state convention.
Section 4: The party’s state convention shall elect the state chairperson, state secretary, state treasurer, and any other state officers; and
a. May nominate or endorse candidates for political offices.
b. May adopt the state party platform.
c. May delegate authority to the state committee to adopt the state party platform or nominate or endorse candidates for political office in the state of NewYork.
d. May revise the state party constitution.
e. May transact such other business as may properly come before the state convention.
ARTICLE VI: State Committee: Section 1: The state committee shall consist of the state chairperson, state secretary, state treasurer, and any other officers elected by the state convention, and members elected by local organizations.
Section 2: Each local organization of the party shall elect their quota of state committee members in proportion to their membership as follows: 1 representative for 30 members, or fraction thereof.
Section 3: The term of office for state committee members shall be for the interval between state conventions.
Section 4: Vacancies among the state officers shall be filled by the state committee and representatives elected by locals shall be filled by the respective local organization.
Section 5: In the event a local representative of the state committee is unable to attend a meeting of the state committees that local may designate an alternate member from any member in good standing in the state party for that meeting.
Section 6:
a. State committee meetings shall be held at least twice each year. Special meetings of the state committee may be called by a majority vote of state committee members. Any state committee member may call for such a vote by either telephone poll or mail ballot.
b. A quorum for any state committee meeting shall be a simple majority of all state committee members.
c. The state committee may call a special state convention by a two-thirds vote of the state committee members.
Section 7: The state committee shall be responsible for carrying on the business affairs of the state organization between conventions within guidelines established by the convention.
ARTICLE VII: State Officers:
Section 1: The state chairperson shall have such powers and duties as usually appertain to this office, and as directed by the state convention.
Section 2: The state secretary shall have charge of the state office all records and documents of the state party.
Section 3: The state treasurer shall keep the financial records of the state party.
Section 4: The elected officers shall perform such duties as prescribed by the state convention and state committee, and shall be subject to instruction and control by the state committee.
ARTICLE VIII: Amendments:
This constitution of the Socialist Party of New York State may be amended by the state convention, with a two-thirds vote of those delegates present and voting required to amend.