On 4/10/2025 at the Bandera County Republican Executive Committee meeting two party members in the audience were permitted to raise a “Point of Order”.
Their charge was that the appointment of the then current Vice-Chair, the then current Secretary and the 2024 Bylaws were all Invalid because the 2024 Bylaws were not sent to the Texas Secretary of State (SOS) as required under the Rules of the Texas State Republican Executive Committee (SREC). Therefore the 2022 bylaws were in effect and the Committee would have to elect a new Secretary to continue the meeting...
One member was a person who let all know that she knew all the legal obligations required of the Executive Committee and the Election Codes that it had to follow, a self-proclaimed legal expert, so to speak. The other had personal experience with the criminal justice system. Their stated goal was to prevent the Committee from making the same mistakes made by some Committee members in the past. I suppose that they were referring to either legal and or illegal actions by such members or themselves. Both of these “experts” and some current committee members had previously signed articles of censure against a previous Chairperson which the SREC found not in compliance with SREC rules or applicable State Election Codes and therefore not enforceable. It was an effort to unset a pervious Chairperson. It was thrown out, but it seems that they still have a quest for power. “Power Over What ?” , I have no idea.. We are all unpaid, elected or appointed volunteers and to use their words, “whose main job is to register people to vote”.
It’s my understanding that the two members had a premeeting on 4/9/2025 with their supporters and current friends on the Committee and others on how to share their information about the Bylaws and other items with the rest of the Committee. The rest of the Committee, of course, got no heads up before the general meeting on 4/10.
I apologize to all present for not being prepared to answer all their fallacious charges on 4/10.
Yes, the SREC has a rule requiring State Committees to send their Bylaws to them and to the Texas SOS. Bylaws are internal to an organization, and the SOS doesn’t maintain them, and won’t have any State Committee’s Bylaws on file from any County Committee in the State and is unable to search for them. I asked my SREC representative why the SREC had a ruling that is in conflict with any State requirement. He agreed that the ruling was outdated, and he would suggest a Rules Change at their next State Convention.
The SREC rules do not explicitly require that adopted bylaws be sent in for approval or for filing or by a specific date to take effect, Failure to meet any of the above-mentioned requirements doesnotmakethem invalid or trigger a reversion to prior bylaws. There is however a stipulation that failure to pass new bylaws triggers an action to maintain current bylaws.
New bylaws are in effect when passed by the Committee, however any section that is in conflict with SREC rules voids only that section. A search of the Texas Election Code has found no deadline requirement or penalty or reversion to prior bylaws for failing to submit the current bylaws to SREC.
The two members then allowed without objection for a new Secretary to be elected and for the Committee to issue a written order to call for a Special Election. So, the election of a new Secretary was not on the agenda, no motion was made or passed to change the agenda, and a new Secretary was elected without objection from the two “legal experts “. Then with a No Vote from myself, I was elected the new Secretary.
A Special Election Meeting was held on 4/30/25 during which a Precinct Chair attempted to nominate a fellow Precinct Chair as Chairperson. The Election Code does not allow a Precinct Chair to make a nomination for Chair in a Special Election Meeting. The authority calling the Meeting appoints the temporary Chair who serves until the vacancy is filled.
A new Chairperson was elected by majority vote who will be making their own announcement and appointments.
For now, I suppose some County Party Members and Committee Members will continue to disrupt the Committee from within. For What? For Lack of a Title? For some imaginedPower?ForRevenge for some reason? Just for Spite?
Some people, due to their character and actions, are removed from office by court action, others are forced to resign, while others lose an election or reelection. Yes, you are supposed to forgive people for their transgressions. But does that then instill future trust or cause one to forget the transgression? You can have those with talents that just use those talents to disrupt and create conflict. They only use sections of a law to fit their narrative or twist them to fit it. Then you have those that almost always vote No when on a Committee. Is that just to be Spitefulforsomereason?These arejustallan“Effort”toprevent helping and working together. I think that is a waste of their talents and everyone’s time. I have seen some of their positive talents atwork.Theseotherefforts are just such a shame.
I agree with the two “legal experts” that the main purpose of the Committee is to register voters. Then I hope we can get those registered voters to go to the polls and vote Republican.
Some in the Party are setting a great example on how Not to work together.
The Democrats are loving it, I am sure.
Still, one must respond to misinformation, half-truths and lies.
Republican Voters have a history of weak turnout at Midterm Elections.
We could lose the House and the Senate if we don’t work together and get the voters out to vote Republican.
Texas was Blue for 131 years. It has been Red for about 45, but recently the gap has been narrowed by population shifts.
If you want believers in open borders and anti-Christian values back in charge, keep it up.
Don’t think it can’t happen.
John Schuetze Precinct Chair 407 Bandera, Texas
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