Proposed Platform/Bylaw Changes - 2024 (Final)
The following are proposed amendments to our current bylaws and platform. The Executive Committee has approved the following to be voted by the party body at our upcoming 2024 State Convention (planned for 4/20 in Overland Park). The purpose of this posting is to give our members at large a chance to review these proposals and comment. You can give public comment at the bottom of the page. For any questions feel free to contact the Executive Committee or the Platform/Bylaw Committee Chairs using the form here.
Platform Committee Lead - Eric Lund
Bylaw Committee Lead - Cullene Lang
Proposed Platform Change #1 - Article II - Taxes and Economics (Subsection 2)
Change from - We believe sales taxes should be eliminated on all food and medicines. The property and state personal income tax should be reduced immediately.
Change to - We believe sales taxes should be eliminated, at all levels (state, county, and city), on all items, not just on food and medicines. The property; intangibles; and state personal and corporate income tax should be reduced immediately as an interim step towards their elimination. We oppose any increase in existing tax rates and the imposition of any new taxes. We call for the dissolution of the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Proposed Platform Change #2 - Article VI - Health Freedom
Subsection 6 (new) - Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue, and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the decision to each individual and their healthcare provider for their conscientious consideration.
Proposed Platform Change #3 - Article V - Judicial Reform
Subsection 10 (new) - We support the restoration of all rights to felons, including the right to own and use a firearm, upon completion of the authorized sentence.
Proposed Platform Change #4 - Article V - Judicial Reform (Subsection 8)
Change from - As men and women are fallible and imperfect, and can and do make mistakes, the death penalty should be abolished. A sentence of life in prison with no possibility of parole is a reasonable alternative to execution and should be adopted in its place.
Change to - As men and women are fallible and imperfect, and can and do make mistakes, the death penalty should be abolished.
Proposed Bylaw Change #1 - Paragraph I: Name | Section 1. Alternate Names
Change from - The name of this organization shall be the Libertarian Party of Kansas, which may use the alternate names of LPKS, Kansas Libertarian Party, or KLP. In these By-Laws, the word Party shall refer to the Libertarian Party of Kansas without further elaboration.
Change to - The organization shall be named the Libertarian Party of Kansas (LPKS), hereinafter referred to as the "Party."
Proposed Bylaw Change #2 - Paragraph I: Name | Section 2. Description
Change from - The Party is an unincorporated body politic of voters believing in the Libertarian Principles set forth in the LPKS Statement of Principles.
Change to - The Party is an unincorporated or incorporated body politic of voters believing in the Libertarian Principles set forth in the LPKS Statement of Principles.
Bylaw Change #3 - Paragraph V. Amendments to Party Documents Subsection 1A. Procedure for the State Executive Committee to Propose Amendments
Existing wording - The State Executive Committee may propose amendments to the Constitution, By-Laws, Statement of Principles, or Platform by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the whole State Executive Committee and those proposed amendments shall be sent to the next annual Convention for approval or disapproval. All such proposed changes to the Constitution, By-Laws, Statement of Principles, or Platform must be posted on the LPKS website for a comment period not to be less than twenty-eight (28) days before a final vote of the Executive Committee. The final version of the proposed changes must be posted on the LPKS website for no less than twenty-eight (28) days before the State Convention.
Add new sentence after the first sentence in the paragraph above - At the annual conventions, proposed platform changes will be submitted and voted on during even years, and proposed bylaw changes will be submitted and voted on during odd years.
Bylaw Change #4 - Paragraph III: Authority | Subsection 1D
Existing wording - The State Executive Committee shall be vested with authority to govern the Party between the meetings of the membership in Convention or Called Meetings. All Party matters, including but not limited to, organization, delegation, finances, political position, interpretation of principles, removal of officers, direction of appointed officers, execution of policy, and any underlying authority to accomplish these goals is vested in the State Executive Committee.
Add new paragraph - Between conventions, the Executive Committee will be the voice and guiding authority of the LPKS, whether or not we retain ballot status and/or are recognized by the state of Kansas as a minor or major party.
Bylaw Change #5 - Paragraph II: Membership | Section 1. Criteria and Benefits
Add new Subsection 1C - A person is a dues-paying member of the Party when that person is a resident of Kansas whose annual LPKS dues are current and who has certified in writing that they oppose the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals.
Bylaw Change # 6 - Paragraph IV: Executive Committee Quorum
Change from: Paragraph III: State Executive Committee and Officers | Subsection 1F. Quorum. The quorum of the State Executive Committee shall be one-half of the elected members, and one of those must be the State Chair or State Vice-Chair.
Section 3. Quorum | Subsection 3B. Executive Committee Meetings
The State Chair or Vice-Chair may not convene a meeting of the State Executive Committee without the presence of one-half (1/2) of the elected members of State Executive Committee to be determined by the roll call at the beginning of the meeting.
Change to: Subsection 3B. Executive Committee Meetings
Only the State Chair or Vice-Chair may convene a meeting of the State Executive Committee.
The quorum of the State Executive Committee shall be one-half (1/2) of the elected members, to be determined by roll call at the beginning of the meeting.
Proposed Bylaw Change #7 - Paragraph II: Membership | Section 1. Criteria and Benefits Subsection 1B.
Change from - The rights and privileges of Party membership:
Attend all party conventions, meetings and gatherings.
Vote at State Conventions.
Hold Party office.
Be eligible to be appointed to a Party committee.
Be a delegate to the National Convention if that member meets the national party’s requirements.
Seek Party nomination for public office as a Libertarian.
Change to - The rights and privileges of Party membership:
Voting Rights of all Party Members:
Attend all Party conventions, meetings and gatherings.
Vote at State Conventions for candidates for public office.
Be eligible to be appointed to a Party committee.
Privileges for Party Members registered as Libertarian with the state at least 60 days prior to state convention:
Hold Party office.
Be eligible to be appointed Chair of Standing Committees.
Be a delegate to the National Convention if that member meets the National Party’s requirements.
Be eligible to be appointed to County Coordinator.
Seek Party nomination for a partisan race as a Libertarian.
