Candidate Qualifying

May 23 – May 25th, 2012
Qualifying for Republican candidates for local offices will be at Gwinnett GOP Headquarters, 46 South Clayton Street in Lawrenceville, from 9-5 AM on May 23rd and 24th, and from 9 AM until Noon on May 25th. Qualifying for state offices, including State Representative and State Senator will be held at the Georgia Capitol. Qualifying for non-partisan candidates will be at the Gwinnett Elections Office.

Primary Election – Absentee Voting

June 15th through July 31st, 2012
Absentee ballots will be mailed starting on June 15th, and will continue until election day on July 311st. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Gwinnett Elections Office by 7 PM on July 31st. Request an absentee ballot here. Learn more about absentee voting in this FAQ provided by the Gwinnett Elections Office.

Last Day to Register to Vote in the Primary Election

July 2nd, 2012
If you want to be able to vote in the Primary or possible Primary Runoff, you must register to vote by July 2nd. Download the Voter Registration Application Form, and mail the fully completed form to:
Gwinnett County Board of Registrations and Elections
75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, Ga 30046

Primary Election – Early Voting

July 19th through July 27th, 2012
You can vote early in person at the Gwinnett Elections Office, 455 Grayson Highway in Lawrenceville. Early voting is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM through 5 PM.

Primary Election – Saturday Early Voting

July 21st, 2012
If you would like to vote early, but cannot visit the elections office Monday through Friday, you can vote on Saturday, July 21st at the Gwinnett Elections Office, 455 Grayson Highway in Lawrenceville from 8 AM through 5 PM.

Primary Election – Satellite Early Voting

July 23rd through July 27th, 2012
On the Monday through Friday immediately prior to the Primary election, you can vote at one of Gwinnett’s Satellite voting offices between 9 AM and 7 PM. Satellite voting locations are at:

Centerville Community Center
3025 Bethany Church Road
Snellville, GA 30039

Dacula Activity Building
2735 Old Auburn Road
Dacula, GA 30019

George Pierce Community Center
55 Buford Highway
Suwanee, GA 30024

Lucky Shoals Community Center
4651 Britt Road
Norcross, GA 30093

Primary Election Day

July 31st, 2012
Polls are open on Election Day from 7 AM until 7 PM. You can find your poll location here.

Primary Election Runoff Early Voting

TBA – August 17, 2012
If a runoff election is needed to settle a primary election contest, early voting will be available at the Gwinnett Elections Office. Satellite voting will not be available for a primary runoff.

Primary Election Runoff Election Day

August 21st, 2012
Polls are open on Election Day from 7 AM until 7 PM. You can vote in the runoff election even if you didn’t vote in the original Primary Election. If you did vote in the primary, you must vote for the same party candidates you did in the primary. You can find your poll location here.

General Election Schedule

October 15 – November 2, 2012
The general election schedule will mirror that of the primary election schedule, and details will be posted after the primary election..

General Election Runoff Early Voting

TBA – November 30th, 2012
If a runoff election is needed to settle a general election contest, early voting will be available at the Gwinnett Elections Office. Satellite voting will not be available.

General Election Runoff Election Day

December 4th, 2012
If needed, polls will be open on Election Day from 7 AM until 7 PM. You can find your poll location here.

I don’t know about you, but for me, it just seems like 2012 is flying by. Here we are, already into May, and I, like you, have been dealing with all those life events and important struggles that 300 million Americans wrestle with on a daily basis – matters of family and health, professional and community, you name it. I am not alone – I know from speaking with many of you the kinds of situations that you bring with you no matter where you go. We must all keep this in mind, as we work together in the name of the Republican Party. And we should constantly remind ourselves that the goal we are all working towards – replacing this President with a conservative, and bringing about Republican leadership at all levels of government – will in itself help so many Americans move their way to a brighter future. That is my prayer – that on November 6th, the fruits of our labors will allow all Americans to see that shining city on a hill once again.

The next President of the United States, Mitt Romney, said it very eloquently in his victory speech last Tuesday: “Together, we will build the greatest America we’ve ever known, where prosperity is grown and shared, not limited and divided, an America that guarantees that ours is the door that innovation and greatness always knocks on first. There was a time not so long ago when each of us could walk a little taller and stand a little straighter because we had a gift that no one else in the world had. We’re Americans. That meant something different to each of us, but something special to all of us. We knew it without question — so did the people in the rest of the world — those days are coming back. That’s our destiny. So join me, walk together, take another step every day until November 6th. We believe in America. We believe in ourselves. Our greatest days are still ahead. We are, after all, Americans.”

As we begin this six-month journey of hard work and dedicated effort, come this Saturday, May 5th, to our monthly breakfast rally at 550 Trackside (550 N. Clayton St., Lawrenceville) to hear Attorney General Sam Olens and Congressman Tom Price discuss health care. Attorney General Olens attended many of the U.S. Supreme Court hearings on Obamacare in person, so you will get a first-hand account of the questions asked by the Justices that lead many to believe the Court will overturn the law. Congressman Price has proposed a conservative alternative on healthcare, and continues to be a thought leader in the House on this and other issues. Doors will open at 7:45 a.m., and the program will begin at 8:30. In addition to those featured speakers, Congressman Paul Broun and other special guests will be in attendance. There will be no better way to get motivated for this presidential campaign than by hearing these two fine leaders on Saturday.

Immediately following the breakfast on May 5th, District 1 manager Heather Alvarez has scheduled a meeting for folks from her district to discuss grassroots efforts in those precincts. If you are in school district 1 (Dacula, Grayson, Loganville, Lawrenceville), please join her at the Gwinnett GOP HQ (46 S. Clayton St., Lawrenceville) after the breakfast to find out how you can help. Next Saturday, May 12th, District 2 manager Emily Knight has scheduled a similar meeting for folks in that district (covering Buford, Sugar Hill, Braselton, Suwanee, and Collins Hill areas), beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Gwinnett GOP HQ. Meetings for Districts 3, 4, and 5 are in the works and will be announced soon. Please make every effort to attend these grassroots meetings, as we will discuss precinct strategies and feature some insights from experienced campaigners.

Don’t miss the County Committee meeting on Thursday, May 10th (doors open at 7:00 p.m., registration ends 7:30 p.m.), as we elect a new Member-at-Large for the Executive Committee. (This vacancy was created when former occupant Scott Haggard was elected First Vice Chair in March.) This will be an important position to fill, and I hope to see you at the meeting.

Finally, don’t forget to register for the Georgia Republican Party convention on May 18-19 in Columbus, where we will hear from Speaker Newt Gingrich, as well as elect additional delegates and alternates to the National Convention in Tampa. Delegates will also be electing a National Committeeman and National Committeewoman to serve on the Republican National Committee. Visit www.gagop.org to register, if you are a delegate or alternate, or if you would like to attend as a guest.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a lot of work ahead of us in the next six months, and I know you are as committed to it as I am. Let’s roll up our sleeves!

Sincerely,

Bruce LeVell
Chairman
404-409-5400

Sam Olens was elected in November 2010 as Georgia’s Attorney General after serving as the Chairman of Cobb County’s Board of Commissioners. Since taking office, he has represented Georgia in the Supreme Court in its opposition to the health care law, and has successfully pushed the legislature for more transparency in Georgia’s Sunshine laws.

As a doctor, Sixth District Congressman Tom Price brings a unique perspective to the issue of fixing healthcare in the United States. Elected to Congress in 1994, Dr. Price is chairman of the Republican Study Committee. He has introduced a bill called the Empowering Patients First Act as an alternative to the bureaucratic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed by the Democrats.

Join us on Saturday, May 5th at 550 Trackside in Lawrenceville beginning at 7:45 AM for breakfast and networking. The program begins at 8:30. Breakfast is $8, or get juice and coffee for $2.

In addition to AG Olens and Rep. Price, we’ll hear from Republican candidates for the July 31st primary, including Congressman Paul Broun.

The election will be held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled County Committee meeting on that date. Anyone wishing to vote in the meeting must be signed in by 7:30 PM. All County Committee members are eligible to vote in the election.

According to the rules of the Gwinnett GOP, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be considered a member of the County Committee. The first is that you are an Active Member of the party. This means that you are registered to vote in Gwinnett County and have paid your 2012 dues to the Gwinnett Republican party. Dues are $25.00 (although you are encouraged to become a member at a higher level). You can pay your dues online, or you can pay at the meeting, if you choose.

The second requirement for being a voting member of the County Committee is that you meet one or more of the following five qualifications:

• You attended the County Convention held in March, 2011 as a delegate or alternate.
• You are a precinct chairman selected at a Mass Meeting held in February, 2011.
• You are a member of the Executive Committee of the party.
• You are a Republican elected official representing a portion of Gwinnett County. If you were elected in a non-partisan race, such as Mayor or City Council, and meet the first requirement listed above, you qualify under this provision.
• You paid your 2012 membership dues prior to March 9th, 2012.

The decision as to whether a person is eligible to vote will be made by a committee consisting of the First Vice Chairman, the Secretary and the Treasurer of the Gwinnett GOP, and such decision is final.

If you are a qualified County Committee member and cannot attend the meeting, you may complete a proxy (PDF), which can be voted by a committee member of your choice. However, no committee member can carry more than two proxies.

Any member of the Gwinnett County Republican party is eligible to run for the position of Representative At Large. If you would like to become a candidate, the Executive Committee requests that you notify Bruce LeVell, Chairman at chairman@gwinnettrepublicans.com by Friday, May 4th so your name can be placed on the pre-printed ballot. Nominations will be accepted from the floor on the date of the election, and qualified voters may also write in the name of a candidate, if they choose.

On the date of the election, each candidate will be entitled to a three minute nomination speech by the person of his or her choice, and a five minute speech by the candidate. The election will be held by secret ballot, and the results will be counted by the First Vice Chairman. Each candidate may select a member to observe the counting of the ballots.

In the case that no candidate wins a majority vote on the first ballot, a second ballot will be held between the two candidates with the most votes.

The requirements listed above for membership in the County Committee are taken from the Rules of the Gwinnett County Republican Party.

I know you were as encouraged as I was by the good news out of the U.S. Supreme Court this week. The line of questioning from the conservative Justices, and particularly Justice Anthony Kennedy, provides indication that the Court could possibly find the entire Obamacare law unconstitutional, which would be the the correct decision. We must bear in mind, however, that if this does happen – and for the sake of our nation, we hope and pray this is the decision – the Democrats will be energized that much more to re-elect this President, so that they can find another way to bring about nationalized health care. We will need every ounce of energy we can muster to fight this battle in November for the future of our country.

As serious as that battle is, we can’t forget the local battles either. This Tuesday, April 3rd, those of you who are in the new city of Peachtree Corners will have an opportunity to elect a genuine fiscal conservative to the City Council in a runoff election, Jeanne Aulbach. Jeanne is a longtime community volunteer with a strong business background in banking and software development. As importantly, her opponent is an avowed Democrat who lost a county commission race in 2010. The Georgia Democratic Party has made it a priority to elect Democrats to these local seats, particularly in Gwinnett County, as a way to build their party strength. The Democrats already took credit for electing the new Snellville Mayor in November 2011, with Democrat party chair Mike Berlon telling the AJC that the party paid for robocalls, mailers, and provided strategic advice for the Snellville Democrat. He further went on to say that “Within two or three election cycles, Gwinnett becomes a Democratic county. The voters are there. You’ve just have to reach out and get them.” Berlon has admitted that the party is working to elect this Democrat in Peachtree Corners.

Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot let that happen. And we start by making a stand in Peachtree Corners on Tuesday. This is a majority Republican city, and allowing the Democrats to gain a foothold here will be a signal that the GOP is faltering. Jeanne could use your help on Monday night, at a phone bank/pizza party, as well as help with sign waving on Tuesday morning, election day. Please contact her at 404-786-4825 or jeanneteacher@gmail.com, or you may also contact Judi Quigley at judiquig@comcast.net to offer assistance.

Finally, I want to remind you of our upcoming monthly breakfast rally this Saturday, April 7th, at 550 Trackside (550 N. Clayton St., Lawrenceville), where our featured guest speakers will be Linda Herren, Republican National Committeewoman for Georgia, and State Sen. Renee Unterman. Linda will bring us a national update on the party, and provide insights into the upcoming national convention, while Sen. Unterman will give us a review of the just-completed General Assembly session. Doors will open at 7:45 a.m., and the program starts at 8:30. And don’t forget breakfast will be available for only $8, and coffee for $2.

Mark your calendars for the events below, but in particular the District Conventions on April 14th and the Gwinnett GOP Golf Tournament on April 23rd. I look forward to seeing you on Monday night at Jeanne Aulbach’s phone bank and this Saturday at the breakfast!

Sincerely,

Bruce LeVell
Chairman

Our monthly breakfast on April 7th will feature Republican National Committeewoman from Georgia, Linda Herren. Elected in 2004 and 2008 as a delegate to the national convention, and serving since 2004 as a national committeewoman, Linda has the experience to provide insight into what can be expected as this election year progresses.

We’ll also get an update on the recently completed General Assembly session from Senator Renee Unterman, from District 45 in Buford. Senator Unterman is the sponsor of Senate Bill 321, which would regulate metals recycling in an effort to eliminate metal theft.

We start serving breakfast for just $8 or coffee and juice for $2 at 7:45 AM, allowing plenty of time for networking before the program at 8:30. Our breakfasts are held at 550 Trackside, 550 North Clayton Street in Lawrenceville. Everyone is welcome, even if you want to skip breakfast, and we hope to see you there.

Here is a map to the meeting location:

How do I become a delegate to the Convention?

Delegates and alternates were elected by precinct at February’s Mass Meetings. If you were elected as a delegate or alternate, you should have received a letter from Chairman Bruce LeVell informing you.

If I’m not a delegate or alternate, can I still attend the convention?

The convention is open to the public. Guests must pay a $20 registration fee to attend.

Where exactly is the convention?

The convention is in the Central Gwinnett High School Auditorium. You should enter the school’s parking lot from the Crogan Street entrance just south of the school buildings. (Look for the GOP Event signs). Once you have parked, the auditorium is the building on your left as you face the school.

What time should I get there, and what should I bring?

We will begin registration at 8:30 AM. Anyone in line to register by 10:00 AM will be allowed to participate in the convention, however we strongly advise attendees to arrive and register early so we can begin the convention on time. You should bring your registration letter, some form of proper ID, and the $30 registration fee.

Can I pay the registration fee online?

Glad you asked. You can save time at registration by prepaying the registration fee at this link. You will be able to pre-pay until 8 PM on Friday.

Where should I sit?

Seating at the convention will be by Congressional District. From the back of the auditorium, seating for the 4th district will be on the right, the 7th district will sit in the center, and the 10th district will sit on the left. In addition, delegates will sit in front, while alternates will be seated behind delegates. Guests will sit is a marked off area on the left. Please look for signs telling you where to sit. They will be taped to the end seats on each row.

Will there be any special guests at the convention?

Yes, we expect 7th District Congressman Rob Woodall will address the convention at 10 AM, and Senator Johnny Isakson will speak at approximately 11:00. As time allows, we may have other candidates and elected officials speak.

I’m hungry. Will there be any refreshments?

The Conservative Republican Women of North Atlanta will be selling refreshments at the convention, however food and drink cannot be brought into the auditorium. We ask that you enjoy your refreshments outside, in the courtyard to the right of the auditorium building.

For those of us who feel passionately about political issues, supporting the candidates of our choice and working tirelessly to see them elected, we sometimes lose sight of the bigger picture until an event happens that snaps our perspective back into place. Yesterday was one of those events – the conservative movement lost a good man and a great teacher, Andrew Breitbart. Passing away at only 43, his death reminds us that this life truly is fragile, but it also reminds us that the fight in which we are engaged is a vitally important one, for the millions of children in this country – including Breitbart’s four kids – are relying on us to preserve the greatest nation on earth. As Michael Walsh wrote in his National Review tribute, “In the war against the institutional Left, Breitbart was the Right’s Achilles; the bravest of all the warriors, now fallen on the plain. There was no combat in which he would not engage, no battle — however small — he would not join with glee, and no outcome acceptable except total victory. His unexpected death last night at the young age of 43 is not the end of his crusade, but its beginning.”

On Tuesday, March 6, we will make our choice here in Georgia as to who we would like to see lead our crusade to defeat this President in November. And over the next few months, we will all rally together behind the candidate who eventually emerges as our nominee. We can and we must – this is what it will take to win.

I hope that you are able to take a few minutes away from making phone calls for your candidate to join us at our regular monthly breakfast rally tomorrow, March 3rd at 8:30 a.m. (doors open 7:45) at 550 Trackside, 550 N. Clayton St. in Lawrenceville. We will have guest speakers State Rep. Brett Harrell of Snellville and Georgia Tech College Republicans Chair Andres Celedon discussing possible changes to Georgia’s concealed carry laws. As always, breakfast will be available for only $8.

Also, make plans to join us next Thursday night, March 8, at Gwinnett GOP HQ (46 S. Clayton St., Lawrenceville) for our regular monthly county committee meeting, where we will not only hold special elections to fill the vacant positions of First Vice Chair and School District 5 Manager, but we will also discuss proposed rules changes. The current rules and proposed changes can be accessed here. Please take a look and come prepared for a substantive meeting. These rules changes will allow us to concentrate on holding different types of events and meetings throughout the year that will attract new members to the GOP, rather than being bound to hold official business meetings when there is no official business to conduct. For example, our successful GOP Town Hall series last fall, organized by executive committee member Scott Haggard, drew more than 400 people to three different venues around the county, many of whom had never been to any other GOP events. Of course, the proposed rules will still allow for the general membership to call special meetings if necessary.

Finally, mark your calendar for our 2012 Gwinnett Republican Party Convention on Saturday, March 10, at Central Gwinnett High School (564 W. Crogan St., Lawrenceville). Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., and attendees must be in line to register by 10:00. This is the next step in the process to select Delegates for the Congressional District, State, and National GOP Conventions, so please make plans to attend this important event.

As always, feel free to contact me at anytime with any questions or concerns. And don’t forget to vote on Tuesday!

Sincerely,

Bruce LeVell
Chairman

At our March 3rd breakfast, we’ll hear from State Rep. Brett Harrell, who will talk about the potential fate of legislation including House Bill 981, which would expand areas in which individuals with concealed carry permits could bring weapons.

We’ll also hear from Georgia Tech College Republicans Chairman Andrés Celedón, who is an advocate for students being able to carry handguns on the Tech campus.

We start serving breakfast for just $8 or coffee and juice for $2 at 7:45 AM, allowing plenty of time for networking before the program at 8:30. Our breakfasts are held at 550 Trackside, 550 North Clayton Street in Lawrenceville. Everyone is welcome, even if you want to skip breakfast, and we hope to see you there.

This month’s breakfast is sponsored by GeorgiaCarry.org.

Here is a map to the meeting location:

The proposed rules changes can be seen in this draft (PDF). Insertions are in blue italic, while deletions are in red strikethrough.

The following FAQ provides more information about the proposed changes.

What is the effect of the proposed rule changes?

The primary effect of the rules change would be to reduce the number of County Committee meetings each year from eleven to three. Instead of meeting every month except December, we would have business meetings in January, May and September.

Because of the reduction in mandatory meetings, additional changes modify the procedures for calling special meetings of the County Committee. The rule allowing voting membership in the County Committee for people attending at least three meetings in a year has been modified as well.

Additional changes clarify the duties of School District Managers, allow the Chair to appoint certain committees and remove obsolete language from the rules.

Why are these changes being proposed?

The County Committee meeting is a business meeting, giving members the opportunity to vote on items like the party’s budget. In many months, however, there is little or no business to discuss and vote on. This change allows us to schedule other events during the months where there is no business meeting.

What if an item of business comes up between scheduled meetings?

The proposed rules change clarifies the procedure for calling special meetings of the County Committee. If necessary, special meetings may be called by the chair, a majority of the Executive Committee or one third of the membership. Members must be given ten days notice of special meetings.

If there are fewer meetings each year, what about the rule that says I can vote if attend three meetings?

The proposed changes modify the ‘three meetings’ rule so that a person can become a voting member if they have been current in paying their annual dues for at least six months. That means that if someone pays their dues in May, they will be able to vote in November. The intent was to prevent someone from showing up at a meeting, paying their dues, and immediately being able to vote.

Dues-paying members from the prior year must pay their dues by March 1st in order to maintain their voting privilege. Otherwise, they will have to wait six months before being allowed to vote again. Note that the six month rule does not apply to county Committee members who qualify because of attending an organizational convention, being a Precinct Chair, etc. Members qualifying under Rule 3.02 A-D must pay their annual dues at any time prior to voting.

Who is eligible to vote on the proposed rules changes?

According to the rules of the Gwinnett GOP, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be considered a member of the County Committee. The first is that you are registered to vote in Gwinnett County and have paid your 2012 dues to the Gwinnett Republican party. Dues are $25.00 (although you are encouraged to become a member at a higher level). You can pay your dues online, or you can pay at the meeting, if you choose.

The second requirement for being a voting member of the County Committee is that you meet one or more of the following four qualifications:

• You attended the County Convention held in March, 2011 as a delegate or alternate
• You are a precinct chairman selected at a Mass Meeting held in February, 2011
• You have attended at least three County Committee meetings from April, 2011 through March, 2012. These meetings do not include our monthly breakfast meetings.
• You are a Republican elected official representing a portion of Gwinnett County. If you were elected in a non-partisan race, such as Mayor or City Council, and meet the first requirement listed above, you qualify under this provision.

The decision as to whether a person is eligible to vote will be made by a committee consisting of the Second Vice Chairman, the Secretary and the Treasurer of the Gwinnett GOP, and such decision is final.

If you are a qualified County Committee member and cannot attend the meeting, you may complete a proxy (PDF), which can be voted by a committee member of your choice. However, no committee member can carry more than two proxies.