I have extensively studied and used our rules during the last few years, and while they are a tool that gives voice to the people of this party, they need revision for better organization and easier usability. That is why I am supporting this rules package, which is simply a reordering of the rules (all the rules are included, just in a different order, no substantive changes are made), which will allow our rules to be easier to understand, locate specific rules, and use! – Sarah Burnett
See the full Rules Reboot here.
Why the OKGOP “2025 Rules Reboot Package” Matters to Our Party’s Future
From the author of the “Rules Reboot”, Emilie Garrelts:
As members of the Oklahoma Republican Party, we share a common purpose: to elect Republican candidates to office and to champion the values outlined in our platform. Unfortunately, we often find ourselves bogged down in lengthy debates over procedural rules and unclear bylaws. These distractions pull us away from the mission that unites us. That’s why I’ve worked diligently to prepare the “2025 Rules Reboot Package,” a comprehensive reboot of our party’s bylaws.
This package isn’t about changing the intent of the rules. It’s about making them easier to understand, simpler to follow, and more effective for everyone. Let me explain why this matters and how these changes will benefit our party.
Clarity and Accessibility for Everyone
Our current bylaws are a tangled web of rules, scattered across various sections in a way that can confuse even the most experienced members. Rules are often repeated multiple times, sometimes with slight variations that leave room for conflicting interpretations. Imagine trying to reference a rule during a meeting, only to discover it’s buried in multiple places with slightly different wording.
The revised bylaws reorganize everything by topic, making it simple to find exactly what you need when you need it. This clarity will reduce frustration, eliminate unnecessary arguments, and make our meetings more productive. When members can understand the rules, they can focus on what really matters—working together to advance our shared goals.
Eliminating Duplication and Contradictions
One of the biggest issues with the current bylaws is the duplication of rules. Many of the same provisions appear in multiple sections, often worded differently. This creates confusion about which version to follow and opens the door for disagreements. The reboot package consolidates related rules into single, coherent sections.
With my intent of not changing anything substantially, I could only remove duplicates that were identical, but others were left as-is so the members of the body could later decide how to handle that discrepancy (at a later time). In places where it was possible (without changing the original intent), the duplication was eliminated. In places where it wasn’t possible (without changing the original intent), these duplications will remain side-by-side. This makes them prime candidates for future bylaw revisions to remove those contradictions and I encourage members to recognize those areas and submit them in the future!
By eliminating unnecessary duplication, it removes potential contradictions, making the rules easier to interpret and apply. This streamlining ensures that everyone is on the same page and reduces the chances of procedural disputes that can derail our progress.
Simplification Without Changing Intent
Some may worry that simplifying the bylaws will change their meaning. Let me assure you, that’s not the case. The reboot process was carefully designed to preserve the original intent of every rule. Every change has been thoroughly documented and reviewed to ensure that nothing substantial has been altered.
Instead of changing the rules, we’ve made them clearer. Grammatical errors have been corrected, ambiguous wording has been clarified, and redundancies have been removed. This ensures that the bylaws reflect the purpose they were always meant to serve, while being easier for everyone to understand.
Focusing on What Really Matters
When our meetings are dominated by procedural arguments, we lose sight of the bigger picture. The endless debates over bylaws drain time and energy that could be spent on activities that truly matter, like organizing campaigns, mobilizing voters, and advancing our platform.
The 2025 Rules Reboot Package is about shifting our focus back to our mission. With clearer, more accessible rules, we can spend less time arguing about procedure and more time working towards our goals. It’s about empowering every member to participate meaningfully, without getting lost in unnecessary complexity.
Transparency Every Step of the Way
To ensure full transparency, I’ve provided detailed documentation showing exactly how the revised bylaws were created. From the original set of rules to the final version, every step of the process is available for review. You can see for yourself that the intent of the bylaws remains intact, while the structure has been improved for clarity and usability.
A Stronger, More United Party
At the end of the day, the 2025 Rules Reboot is about building a stronger, more united Oklahoma Republican Party. Clear and concise bylaws will help us work together more effectively, resolve disputes quickly, and stay focused on our shared mission.
This revision isn’t just about fixing the rules—it’s about setting the foundation for a brighter future. By reducing confusion and eliminating unnecessary arguments, we can spend our time and energy where it belongs: on electing Republican candidates and promoting Republican values.
I invite all members to review the reboot package with an open mind and consider how these changes will benefit our party as a whole. Together, we can move forward with clarity, purpose, and unity.
Let’s focus on what truly matters and make the 2025 Rules Reboot a turning point for our party’s success.