1. September Leadership Webinar

2. RPT Chairman Tom Mechler

3. US Senator John Cornyn

4. 2016 Filing Period Precinct Chair Filing Period
September 15th – December 6pm
Precinct Chair Application on Exclusive Content on RPT website.
All Other Offices Filing Period
Saturday, November 14th – Monday, December
Includes County Chair – ALL County Chairs must file for reelection!
6p deadline to receive the application (postmark insufficient)
2016 Primary Election
Tuesday, March 1, 2016

5. SOS Primary Election Training
Secretary of State (SOS) Friday, October 9th
Check In & Pick up materials
Thursday, October 9th 3:00p – 8:00p
Friday, 7:30a – 5:30p
Agenda
8:15a
Break for Lunch 11:45a – 1:00p
5:15p
Register was DUE Friday, September 25th
If you still need to register me ASAP!!!!
Guests – register other guests attending the training from your county
NOT ATTENDING?? – Register that you are NOT attending so your materials can be mailed to you

6. Book Hotel Room Hotels Deadline Thursday, September 17th Reimbursement
You may book at any hotel under the state approved rate of $135 plus tax
Reimbursement
Reimbursable Hotel Rate
The current state rate for hotel rates per night in Austin is $135 plus applicable taxes.
How many nights?
Two nights for counties more than 200 miles distant from Austin, TX
One night for everyone
You must fill out a travel reimbursement form, available at the seminar

7. SOS Primary Election Training
Reimbursement
Guidelines
Travel is covered for one person from each county’s party or that chair’s designee
Mileage and hotel rates are based on the Texas state Comptroller’s Travel Reimbursement Rates .
Automobile Mileage: cents per mile
You must fill out a travel reimbursement form, available at the seminar
Flying – if you are filing there are also guidelines for the mileage reimbursement
Call and get prior approval for this cost
ext 3
NON Reimbursed Expenses
Non-Payable expenses for the county chair seminar are meals, beverages, tips, valet parking, and car rental unless prior approval has been received.

8. TRCCA Lunch on Friday, Oct 10th
Dues Paid Members – $15
All others – $30
RSVP to Ash Wright, TRCCA Executive Director at DUE Monday, October 5th
Biennial Dues
Tier 1 – $ County Population up to 10,000
Tier 2 – $ County population between 10,001 and 100,000
Tier 3 – $ County population above 100,001
Associate – $ Non County Chairs (Former Chairs, Spouses, Other Supporters)
Benefits of PAID membership
Voting rights for TRCCA Officers and Bylaws
Personalized TRCCA Nametag, Business Cards, & Lapel pin.
Free or Reduced admission to special events
Biennial Legislative Reception, Primary Election Seminar, & RPT Convention
Free admission to training and materials hosted by TRCCA

9. RPT & TRCCA Primary Election Training
RPT & TRCCA Training – Sat, October 10th
RSVP now if you have not done so to attend. Cassie
Location
The Renaissance Hotel’s Glass Oaks Ballroom
Lunch
FREE to County Chair or their designee
$30 – All other guests
Pay at the door
Agenda – will be ed out
8:00a – check in
8:30a – start
4:00p – end

10. Training Topics Polling locations & Personnel Ballot Review
Candidate Filing Packets
Ballot Draw
Election Supplies & Ballot Guidelines
Canvassing
Funding Process for Primary and Runoff
Convention
Materials
One copy for each County Chair or their designee
All items will be posted on the Exclusive Content

11. Events Precinct Chair Filing Party Candidate Filing Party Meet & Greet
On or after September 15th
Hold in conjunction with a CEC meeting
Judges, JPs, County Clerk, District Clerk or Notary
All oaths, affidavits, or affirmations made within this State may be administered and a certificate of the fact given by a judge, clerk, or commissioner of any court of record, a notary public or a justice of the peace.
Applications
Pros & Cons of ing vs. hard copy handout
Make it a function either social or fundraiser
Candidate Filing Party Meet & Greet
On or after November 14th
Invite all of your local candidates to file at same place an location
Applications arrive sooner in the process for review
Invite community to meet the candidates
Helps with media attention to event

12. Events Presidential Debate Watch Parties Fall Kick Off Event
October 28th
December 15th
December 19th
Feb 13th
Feb 26th – TEXAS
Fall Kick Off Event
Meeting or Social
Grand Old Picnic
Republican Round Up
County Fair or Fall Festival Booths!

13. Comparison Push Cards Contact RPT Include! Name Mailing Address
Include!
Name
Mailing Address
Number of Cards

14. Exclusive Content Location Enter Password: rptcontent12!
 Leadership  Party Officials  Exclusive Content
Enter Password: rptcontent12!
Only for SREC Members & County Chairs
DO NOT GIVE OUT THE LOGIN INFORMATION PUBLICLY
Next Leadership Webinar
Monday, October 6:30p

15. GOP Data Center Updated Forms on Exclusive Content Access to Campaigns
Must fill out BOTH
Individual User Agreement
Campaign Agreement
Need to Renew?
Just to renew your access
GOP Data Center Training
There is a training video on the Exclusive Content

16. RPT Staff Changes Leaving RPT
Communications Director – Aaron Whitehead
Joining the Team!
Assistant Primary Administrator – Ainslie Ellis

17. SREC SREC Meetings for 2015 New Meeting Location December 4th & 5th
Hotel Rooms
Wyndham Deadline: November 6th
Candlewood Suites Deadline: November 20th
New Meeting Location
Woodward Conference Center & Wyndham Garden Hotel

18. County Chairs NEW VACANT Blanco Cooke Dawson Foard Hall Irion Starr
Angelina – Don Baum
Cameron – Morgan Graham
Coke – Beverly Beaty
Comanche – David Morgan
Erath – Danny Pelton
Hood – Robert Carter
Kimble – Judy Cardwell
Oldham – Cheri Webb
Sabine – R. D. Griffin
Trinity – Corey Rapp
VACANT
Blanco
Cooke
Dawson
Foard
Hall
Irion
Starr

19. Campaign Schools Nov 4th in Lubbock, TX
Coordinated by Toni Anne Dashiell, Republican National Committeewoman
8a – 4p
Registration fee includes lunch & book:
$50.00 per person or
$85.00 a couple (share a book)
Overton Hotel & Conference Center
2322 Mac Davis Lane Lubbock, Texas 79401
Register online with Eventbrite HERE
Questions RNC Committeewoman Toni Anne Dashiell

20. RPT Rules Copy of updated Rules What Changed? On RPT Website
National Delegate “Texas Two Step” rejected by RNC
SREC added a provision that removed the “Two Step” if the RNC rejected it.
National Delegates will be selected totally based on the March 1, 2016 election results
3 Delegates & 3 Alternates from each Congressional District Caucus (CD)
Bound based on election results in each CD
All At Large Delegates & Alternates selected by the National Nominations Committee at State Convention
Bound based on statewide election results

21. Conventions A MAJOR function within the Party Precinct Convention
Each County determines when and where to be held
Must be AFTER polls close on March 1, 2016
County/Senate District Convention – March 19, 2016
County Convention – if the County is entirely in ONE State Senate District
Senate District Convention – if the County has more than one State Senate District
State Convention – May 12th – 14th Dallas, TX
National Convention – July 18th – 21st Cleveland, Ohio

22. CEC Vote on Pct Conventions
Your County Executive Committee (CEC) needs to vote on when and where your county will hold their Precinct Conventions.
1. After the polls close on Election Day
Pros
Easy to tell people when and where to attend
Plenty of time to process all paperwork and appoint temporary committees
Cons
Make sure you add the extra time into the contracts you sign with the polling locations when you secure them.
If many of your activist are also working the polls they might not be able to finish their duties and attend the conventions

23. CEC Vote on Pct Conventions
2. Some date or time after Election Day but before the County/SD Conventions
Pros
 You election workers would be able to participate in the conventions
Doesn’t require folks to stay even later on a school night
Does not interfere with election night parties or returns
Cons
Might be difficult to get activists out on an additional day
Shortens the time frame to organize for the County/SD Convention
3. Same Day as County Convention
NOTE: I would only recommend this option for smaller counties with lower population, otherwise logistics will be a nightmare.
Activists only have to give up one day instead of two
Logistics, especially committee work, could be an issue

24. Date, Time and Location
CEC should vote on location and start time of the County/SD Convention
Location Suggestions – plan for your size
County headquarters
County courthouse courtroom
School auditorium or cafeteria
Local business
House
Coordinate opening and closing of facility
County/SD Conventions must be held the 3rd Saturday after the Primary Election - March 19, 2016

25. When to file for office
First Day for Precinct Chairs to file – September 15th
First Day to File – Saturday, November 14th 2015
Last Day to File – Monday, December 14th 2015 at 6pm
County Chairs must post by Sunday, December 13, 2015 where they will be on the last day of filing.
Notice should be posted on the Party’s Internet website or at the location where applications are being received.
Posting on the county commissioners’ bulletin board is not required as of June 2013.
Other Resources
, Online: Facebook, Website
Newspaper – SOS funds CANNOT be used to pay for ads

26. Where to file
Offices that fall entirely within the county file with the County Chair
Offices that cover more than one county file with RPT
Party Office – Files with County Chair
County Chair
Precinct Chair
May file starting on Tuesday, September 15th
Hold a CEC Meeting on or after this day. Arrange for a Notary and have all Precinct Chairs file for reelection at the meeting.
There is no cost to file for either of these positions

27. Resign to Run
If an Elected Official announces their candidacy or becomes a candidate for any other than the office then held, at any time when the unexpired term of the office held exceeds 1 year and 30 days, the announcements results in an automatic resignation of the office.
Any Party Official (County Chair or Precinct Chair) that files to run for a public office automatically resigns their position upon filing for public office.
They cannot run for Public Office and Party Office at the same time. ( (a))
The vacancy thereby created shall be filled pursuant to law in the same manner as other vacancies for such office are filled

28. Resign to Run Applies to the following offices District Clerks
County Clerks
County Judges
County Treasurers
Criminal District Attorneys
County Surveyors
County Commissioners
Justices of the Peace
Sheriffs
Assessors and Collectors of Taxes
District Attorneys
County Attorneys
Public Weighers
Constables

29. Resign to Run Judges Applies to Judicial Offices
County Courts at Law
County Criminal Courts
County Probate Courts
County Domestic Relations Courts
Applies to Judicial Offices
Must resign if a candidate in a contested election for a non judicial office either in a primary or in a general or in a special election
A judge may continue to hold judicial office
While being a candidate for election to any judicial office
While being a candidate for election to or serving as a delegate in a state constitutional convention

30. Method of Filing By Hand By Mail By Email
The candidate or someone from their campaign can file in person by handing over their filing packet.
By Mail
If mailed the application is considered filed at the time of receipt
NOT the post mark! By
ONLY County Chair and Precinct Chair applications can be accepted by !!!

31. Who can Receive Filing Receive vs Accept Authorized to Receive Filing
Receive – initial submission of filing packet to County Chair or Secretary
Accept – means the candidate’s name will appear on the ballot
Authorized to Receive Filing
County Chair & Party Secretary
Vice Chair, Treasurer, etc are not allowed to receive filing packets
County Party Election Admin
Smaller Counties
Coordinate hand delivery with an “in town” contact
Cannot accept filings may only receive them
Timing
Towards the end of the filing period you should check all sources daily for applications.

32. Filing Application
A candidate must submit an application and Filing Fee or Nominating Petition
Must be the correct application for the office
Must file all at one time
Cannot file piecemeal
Application today and fee or petitions tomorrow
Must be notarized
Notary – Have a notary where you accept applications
Judges, JPs, County Clerk, District Clerks
All oaths, affidavits, or affirmations made within this State may be administered and a certificate of the fact given by a judge, clerk, or commissioner of any court of record, a notary public or a justice of the peace.

33. Application Review Must file with proper authority
Entirely within county – County Chair
More than one county – RPT
Must be reviewed within 5 days of receipt
The same level of scrutiny should be applied to each application
Cannot be filed in parts, must filing all at one time

34. Step by Step: Application Review
1. Make sure “REPUBLICAN” is filled out
If a candidate fails to fill out this blank – application REJECTED

35. Step by Step: Application Review
2. Office Sought
Must be completed
Make sure specific number or place is listed
County Commissioner Precinct 2
State Representative #136
Application REJECTED if:
Office Sought is left blank
Candidate does not list place/district number

36. Step by Step: Application Review
3. Indicate Term
Candidate must mark Full or Unexpired
If candidate fails to mark either option – application REJECTED

37. Step by Step: Application Review
4. Full Name
Must be the LEGAL name of the candidate
No pre-nominal titles
Dr., Judge, Pastor, etc.
No post-nominal titles
MD, PhD, CPA, etc.
Post-nominal suffixes are ok
Jr., Sr., III, etc.

38. Step by Step: Application Review
5. Ballot Name
If not Filled Out – copy what was written under the Full Name
Limited to one word with ten letters
Must be commonly known by the nickname for 3 years
Cannot indicate a political, economic, social, or religious view or affiliation
Cannot be a slogan
Examples
Option One – Cassidy Daniel could be “Cassie Daniel”
Should be written as First “Nickname” Last
Cassidy “Tex” Daniel

39. Step by Step: Application Review
6. Permanent Residence Address
Cannot be a PO Box
If there not a physical address the property’s legal description is acceptable
This can be found on the deed, title documents, and at the county’s central appraisal district
Example: TOLAR LTS BLK H & W HOOPER & WADE, ACRES
If blank – application REJECTED

40. Step by Step: Application Review
Public Mailing Address
All accepted applications must be listed on the SOS Website it is discouraged that residential addresses be listed.
While not required it is HIGHLY encouraged that candidates complete this field.
Public Address
This will also be listed publicly on the SOS website
7. Occupation
Required, if left blank – application REJECTED

41. Step by Step: Application Review
8. Date of Birth
Required
If blank – application REJECTED
Age qualification for office
Make sure you have calculated the age requirement for the correct date
Date of application
Date of Election (November General Election)
Date to Assume Office
If age requirement is not met – application REJECTED

42. Step by Step: Application Review
Voter Registration Number (VUID)
Listing their VUID is optional, however all offices (except US Rep, State Sen, & State Rep.) must be registered to vote in the area elected from
By signing and having the form notarized they are swearing that they meet this requirement.
Telephone
Not required but helpful
May be listed on SOS Website

43. Step by Step: Application Review
9. Length of Continuous Residence
In State vs. In Territory
BOTH must be filled out
Even if someone as been in the same territory/district the entire time they have lived in the state BOTH must be completed
BOTH qualification requirements as outline in state law for each office must be met
If either of the two bullet points are not met – application REJECTED

44. Step by Step: Application Review
10. The Oath
1. & 2. Name
3.____ COUNTY (that they live in)
4. Office and distinguishing place/number
5. Signature
Must be signed in front of a notary or the authorized person administering the oath
If any are missing – application REJECTED

45. Step by Step: Application Review
11. Notary Section
1. City, TX; County, TX; Time of day; location
2. Date
3. Month
4. Year
5. Notary Signature
6. Title
7. Stamp
Make sure it is not expired
If not notarized or notary expired after the date signed – application REJECTED

46. Filing Fee or Nominating Petition
Each public office allows for the candidate to pay a filing fee or to present a nominating petition
Highly encourage candidates to pay filing fee instead of using nomination petitions
Pros
Less work for everyone to collect, review, & confirm signatures
Less likely of filing being rejected
Less likely to have a challenge to being placed on ballot
Cons
The candidate has to raise enough funds to pay filing fee & money for campaign
Personal Opinion: If you cannot raise enough money to pay filing fee maybe you shouldn’t run for office.

47. Filing Fee Filing Fees must be collected at the time of filing
Acceptable Forms
*Cashier’s Check – preferred
*Money Order – preferred
Campaign Check
Personal Check
Cash – not suggested
Do not make a copy for legal reasons
The fee must be deposited and clear the bank before the application can be accepted
If the filing fee is not the required amount for the office the candidate is filing for – application REJECTED
If the check does not clear and comes back “NSF” Not Sufficient Funds – application REJECTED

48. Nominating Petition
Each office has different thresholds for the number of signatures required for the nominating petition
Signatures must be from registered voters within the same district as the candidate is filing to run in
A voter may only sign one petition per candidate in each office
Signer that sign for Republican candidate must vote in the Republican Primary
It is a Class C Misdemeanor if they sign a nominating petition for a candidate in one party and vote in the other party’s primary or party convention ( ) & ( )
It is ESSENTIAL the candidate check and double check the petition to ensure the signatures are qualified voters in your district and avoid disqualification
If the candidate fails to obtain the required number of registered voters within their district – application REJECTED
Petition Review Guidelines will be addressed in a separate training at a later date.

49. Accessing SOS Website Once an Application is Accepted
All required information should be entered into the SOS website. Log in HERE at the Primary Finance Page
Click “2016 Precinct Chair Candidate Filing Data Entry”
The first time you log in you should use the username as both username and password
You will receive an from Cassie at RPT with your username
It will prompt you to create a password
You will be the ONLY person with the password to make it something you can remember and write it down!!!!

50. Rejected Applications
If incorrect or incomplete, the application may be rejected by the County Chair if not properly filed
Notice of rejection must be provided in written form
An is considered “written form”
Must notify immediately
Suggest calling the candidate as well
Sample rejection letter will be posted on the Exclusive Content section of the RPT Website.

51. Candidate Packet Suggested Contents Letter from County Chairman
RPT Platform**
Table of Contents**
Important Phone Numbers
Form to sign upon receipt of Candidate Packet by chair or secretary
Candidate Guidelines with important dates**
Information about Political Advertising
Code of Fair Campaign Practices
RPT Rule 43
Rules of posting Campaign Signs
Platform Questionnaire
County Ordinances**
Cannot force candidates to return the completed questionnaire
GOP Data Center Application for Campaigns
Judicial Candidates should not be asked to complete the questionnaire
County Party Events & Club Meetings**
In all cases candidates should be encouraged to read the platform and sign that they have done so
Ballot Drawing

52. Important Dates
December 13th 2015 – deadline for County Chair to post where candidates can file on the last day
On Party’s website or where filing occurs
County Chair & Secretary
If in multiple locations
December 22nd 2015 – deadline to post a complete list of all candidates who filed for office on the SOS Website.
December 23rd 2015 – deadline for RPT to you a certified list of candidates for multi county races.

53. Final Thoughts
A candidate on the Republican Primary ballot can only vote in the Republican Primary
If a Republican candidate votes in the Democrat primary they become ineligible and their name cannot appear on the General Election Ballot ( )
Best to have more than one review of the application if possible
If at all possible DO NOT have the same person who notarized the application be the same person to accept the application
Applications and nominating signature pages become public documents
Copies must be provided to anyone upon request within 10 days.
A fee may be charged not to exceed the cost of reproduction
All records must be kept for two years

54. 2016 Primary Election Cassie Daniel Ainslie Ellis
Republican Party of Texas
State Organization Director
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Ainslie Ellis
Republican Party of Texas
Primary Election Admin Assistant
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55. Leadership Webinar Cassie Daniel Republican Party of Texas
Organization Director