NASS Resolution Urging the National Political Parties to Set Early Nominating Convention Dates
Originally Adopted July 2013; Amended and Reauthorized July 2018 and July 2023
WHEREAS, the nation’s Chief Election Official Secretaries of State and Lt. Governors have spent many years working with the major political parties to increase awareness around election administration issues and laws in setting national convention dates;
WHEREAS, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) has in previous years sent letters to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Republican National Committee (RNC), noting that late timing of nominating conventions can hinder the ability of election officials to meet administrative deadlines set by state statute and federal law, leaving ballot certification and voting processes susceptible to delays;
WHEREAS, the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act passed in 2010 requires ballots to be mailed at least 45 days prior to the general election. State and local election officials must be able to ensure the timely certification, preparation, and mailing of absentee ballots to the nation's more than six million military and overseas citizens in accordance with federal law;
WHEREAS, for 2024, both national conventions will be held in a timeframe suggested by NASS;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT NASS hereby encourages the RNC, the DNC and other major national parties to continue to set earlier national convention dates for the all presidential election cycles during the mid-June to mid-August timeframe to better ensure the timely certification, preparation, and mailing of absentee ballots to the nation's more than six million military and overseas citizens in accordance with federal law (the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NASS members who serve as Chief State Election Officials shall seek to promote this resolution with their state party leaders.
Adopted July 12th, 2023, in Washington D.C
EXPIRES: Summer 2028
