County Convention FAQs

The official title of a precinct delegate is “Delegate to County Convention.” This page explains how those conventions are run. For the two-year convention cycle, see Precinct Delegates & Conventions.


What County Conventions Do

There are typically four County Conventions in a two-year term.

  • Three elect state delegates and alternates to the State Convention that follows (odd-year Spring, even-year Spring, and Summer after the primary).
  • One is County only: after the November general in even years, delegates elect the Delegate Elected members of the County Executive Committee. MCL 168.599(1).


Who Votes

Precinct delegates have the right and responsibility to attend, participate, and vote. Most are elected at the even-year August primary. A vacancy may be filled by elevation at the end of a County Convention. An elevated delegate may vote at the remaining conventions in that two-year term.

Delegates at large also vote. That group includes the Republican nominees from the most recent primary for county office and state legislative office who live in Grand Traverse County. When the purpose is to select state delegates and alternates, certain statewide and federal officeholders and current Michigan Republican Party officers who reside in this county may also sit as delegates at large.


Selecting State Delegates and Alternates

How many state delegates and alternates each county receives is set by the Michigan Republican Party based on the last presidential vote, first by congressional district and then by county. Grand Traverse County is entirely in the 1st Congressional District, so the county votes as one body for its allotment.

Precinct delegates and delegates at large who are present, or who gave the notice required in the Call, are given preference. After that, the convention may select other Republicans as provided in the State Committee rules for that cycle.


Electing County Executive Committee Members

The Executive Committee has two halves of equal size. Nominee Members are the persons most recently nominated by the party for county offices and state legislative offices. They take that seat when they become the nominee at the August primary. When a new nomination is made, the new nominee replaces the former nominee. MCL 168.599(1). Delegate Elected Members are chosen by the precinct delegates at the County Convention held within 20 days after the November general election in even years. The number of Delegate Elected Members equals the number of Nominee Member seats.


Call to Convention

A Call to Convention must go to every precinct delegate and delegate at large. It states the date, time, and location. It should also include the purpose, agenda, and any county convention rules.

When the purpose is to select state delegates and alternates, every county holds that convention on the same date and time set by the state party. The Call will say how a delegate gives notice to use precinct-delegate preference.

When the purpose is to elect Executive Committee members, the convention must be held within 20 days after the November general election in even years.


What Rules Apply

In this order:

  • Michigan Election Law, MCL 168, including MCL 168.599
  • Michigan Republican Party bylaws
  • State Committee rules for that State Convention and the County Conventions that elect its delegates
  • GTGOP bylaws and any county convention rules that do not conflict with the above
  • Robert’s Rules of Order, latest revised edition


Officers

The County Chair opens the convention as temporary chair and appoints a temporary secretary. The body then elects a permanent chair and permanent secretary. The permanent chair appoints a parliamentarian, sergeant-at-arms, and tellers.

Officers do not have to be delegates. If they are delegates, they still vote.


Committees

Credentials. Checks in attendees against the county clerk’s certified list plus any delegates elevated at a prior convention. Reports who is present, who is credentialed, and which precincts are empty.

Rules. Presents standing rules and the agenda. Those must be adopted before other business.

Nominating (optional). May prepare a slate of state delegates and alternates, or of Executive Committee members, for the body to consider.


How the Vote Is Taken

Grand Traverse County uses the at-large method: the credentialed body votes together for this county’s allotment. An apportionment plan that splits the county into smaller electing bodies is used only if that plan is printed in the Call. If it is not in the Call, the body must vote at large.

Questions about a specific convention are answered in that Call, or by emailing chair@gtgop.org.

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