The Republican National Committee is on a fast track to change party rules to allow the RNC chairman to convene a “special ceremonial convention” outside a presidential election cycle.
The proposed change was adopted by the RNC’s Rules Committee Thursday at the GOP’s winter meeting in Santa Barbara, California. If final approval by the full RNC doesn’t come Friday night, it is expected to pass later this year at the party’s spring meeting.
President Trump has called for a convention this year to boost GOP candidates in the midterm elections. Democrats have also mulled a midterm convention to help their effort to take control of the House and Senate.
RNC members will consider an amendment to its bylaws, known as Rule 13, that governs how the RNC calls a party convention.
Currently, Rule 13 allows the RNC to call a convention every four years, which will coincide with a presidential election year.
The amendment would enable the RNC to convene a special ceremonial convention outside of a presidential election cycle — including the possibility of an “America First” midterm convention-style gathering aligned with Mr. Trump’s vision for energizing the party this fall.
Amendments to the RNC’s rules are adopted with a three-fourths vote of all RNC members.
Several requirements must be met to call a GOP convention.
The rule states that the convention must be called at least 60 days before the convention date. Also, no business would be conducted during the special convention.
Location and date of the midterm convention have not been set, but GOP sources said it would likely be during the summer, when Republicans usually meet for one of their four seasonal meetings.
In a Truth Social post in August, Mr. Trump said he was thinking of “recommending a National Convention to the Republican Party, just prior to the Midterms.”
“It has never been done before. STAY TUNED!!!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, endorsed the convention idea, posting on X, “YES, Mr. President! Let’s go!!!!” with several American flag emojis.
The Democratic National Committee is also considering a large gathering ahead of the 2026 midterms.
DNC Chairman Ken Martin pushed the idea in August at a party meeting in Minneapolis.
