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Disability Issues Caucus Bylaws

Article I: Name and Mission

Section 1: Name

The name of this caucus shall be the Disability Issues Caucus.

Section 2: Organization

This caucus shall be a subsidiary organization of the New York State Young Democrats and shall be subject to all regulations set forth by it.

Section 3: Mission

This caucus shall advocate for and support the rights of people with disabilities on the local, state, and national level as well as encourage and support people with disabilities to vote and run for office especially in addition to the stated mission of the New York State Young Democrats per its Constitution.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility

Membership shall include all regular member of the New York State Young Democrats as defined by Article II, Section 1 of the New York State Young Democrats Constitution, who also self-identify as a person with a disability as defined by United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Section 1.1: United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities Definition

Persons with disabilities are those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Article III: Elections

Section 1: Locale

The assembled caucus members at each New York State Young Democrats Convention shall elect a Chair.

Section 1.1: Officer Eligibility

All candidates for Chair and all electors must be eligible caucus members as defined by Article I of these bylaws.

Section 2: General Election Procedures

The Chair shall be determined by the candidate who has received a simple majority of the total votes cast.

Section 2.1: Election in absentia

Candidates for Chair may be elected in absentia provided that the nominator has been informed by the candidate that the nomination would be accepted.

Section 3: Run-off Voting

In the event of a contested election for Chair, voting shall recommence with the candidate receiving the fewest votes being eliminated until a winner has been determined.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1: Chair

The duties of the Chair shall be to:

Section 2: Vice Chair

The duties of the Vice Chair shall be to:

Section 3: Vacancies

Section 3.1: Vacancy of the Chair

In the event of a vacancy of Chair, a special election shall be called in accordance with Article VII, Section 4 of the New York State Young Democrats Constitution. During the time of the vacancy, the Vice Chair shall serve as the acting Chair.

Section 3.2: Vacancy of the Vice Chair

In the event of a vacancy of Vice Chair, the Chair shall choose a qualified member of the caucus, as defined by Article II of these bylaws as Vice Chair.

Article V: Governing Rules

Section 1: Governing Generally

These bylaws and, where relevant, the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings of the caucus.

Section 2: Order of Precedence

These bylaws, the Constitution of the New York State Young Democrats, the Bylaws of the New York State Young Democrats, and the rules of the New York State Young Democrats Convention shall govern the caucus at convention insofar as they do not conflict or contradict. In the event of a conflict or contradiction of any of the aforementioned governing documents, the convention officers shall arbitrate.

Article VI: Amendments

Section 1: Amendment Submission

Amendments to these bylaws must be submitted to the Chair and Vice-Chair no later than thirty (30) days prior to the New York State Young Democrats biennial convention for distribution to the caucus membership for consideration.

Section 1.1: Amendment Submission Eligibility

Only amendments proposed by eligible members as defined by Article II of these bylaws may be considered.

Section 2: Amendment Voting

All amendments proposed shall be adopted at the caucus meeting at the New York State Young Democrats Convention upon a two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the caucus membership assembled and upon the ratification by the Executive Committee of the New York State Young Democrats.

Article VII: Adoption

Section 1: Adoption

These bylaws shall take effect immediately upon ratification by the Executive Committee of the New York State Young Democrats.

Section 1.1: Subsquent Amendments

All amendments to these bylaws shall be subject to ratification by the Executive Committee of the New York State Young Democrats