Proposed Amendments
Amendment 1: Tie Breaking Vote Procedures
Proposed by Patrick Hynes, University of Central Florida
My amendment would change an existing procedure.
Original Language:
Section F: Conduction of Election. The election shall be conducted by the outgoing President. If the President is a candidate, the Executive Board shall appoint by majority vote another College Democrat to conduct the election. There shall be a period of time set aside for speeches, questions for the candidates, and deliberation amongst voting chapters. During deliberation, the candidates running for the race in question shall leave the room. Voting shall be conducted by a roll call vote in alphabetical order.
Amended Language:
In the event no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a run-off election shall take place between the two candidates receiving the most votes in the previous ballot. In the event of a tie between three or more candidates, all of those candidates will participate in the run-off election.
In the event no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a run-off election shall take place between the two candidates receiving the most votes in the previous ballot. In the event of a tie between three or more candidates, all of those candidates will participate in the run-off election. If after a run-off election, there is still no candidate with a majority of the vote, the outgoing executive board will take a vote to decide which of the top candidates should win the election.
Briefly describe what you hope your amendment will accomplish:
Intention is to provide a clear method of resolving a tied election like was seen at the 2011 FCD convention.
Amendment Two: Redirecting our Preamble
Proposed by Michael McCombie, University of Central Florida
My amendment would change an existing procedure.
Original Language:
In order to promote a better America, with equality, opportunity, and freedom within a just and strong society, we dedicate ourselves to organizing the participation of Democratic college students in Florida. In this mission, we call for full participation of all Florida students regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Understanding the importance of participation in the Democratic Party to the preservation of our values and principles, we, Democratic college students, do hereby associate ourselves and adopt this Constitution as the Florida College Democrats.
Amended Language:
We the members of the Florida College Democrats; in order to promote a better and more democratic country and state; to provide a network of support, resources, and materials for our chapters and members; and to organize the participation of all college students in the democratic process regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, party affiliation, sexual orientation, or gender identity; establish this constitution to govern matters within our organization.
Briefly describe what you hope your amendment will accomplish:
The current preamble is divided into three distinct statements (“”In order to…”",”"In this mission…”", and “”Understanding…”"). The rewritten preamble attempts to create one all encompassing statement whilst keeping the content of the current preamble largely intact.
Amendment Three: Amending the Constitution at Strategy Sessions
Proposed by David Mariutto, University of Central Florida
My amendment technically makes a change, but is to match an existing procedure.
Original Language:
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any member of the Executive Board or from one or more members from two or more Chapters. A vote on any proposed amendments shall take place at the next FCD State Conference, and a two-thirds vote of Florida College Democrat Chapters present and voting shall be necessary for ratification.
Amended Language:
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any member of the Executive Board or from one or more members from two or more Chapters. A vote on any proposed amendments shall take place at the next FCD State Conference or quarterly meeting, and a two-thirds vote of Florida College Democrat Chapters present and voting shall be necessary for ratification.
Briefly describe what you hope your amendment will accomplish:
We passed an amendment last year with the intention of enabling the FCD to amend the constitution at our quarterly meetings. However, I do not believe the current language allows for that. This amendment would further clarify that amending the constitution at quarterly meetings is allowed.