Elections Process

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Elections Process
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You are the IEA-NEA
Proper conduction of elections is
your responsibility!
Labor organizations are governed by the
Landrum-Griffin Act
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Resource Documents

• Bylaws ---- Local, Region, State, and National
• For local elections- refer to local governing
  documents
• IEA-NEA Elections Handbook
• The guide to state, region and local elections
• Booklet on delegate requirements for NEA-RA
• Sent to locals with more than 75 members (other
  locals are clustered by regions)
• Roberts Rules of Order

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NOTICE of State and National Elections

• Must be mailed to each members home address not
  less than 15 days prior to the election
• This requirement is taken care of by the dates
  being published in the ADVOCATE
• Hold election on the published date

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Nomination Process

• Be sure to allow enough time
• Inform all members of the nomination procedure
  and deadline
• May be submitted electronically

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Declared Elections

• Candidates may be declared elected if
• The number of candidates equals the number of
  positions available AND
• No write-in provision is required by the
  governing documents

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CANDIDATES

• MUST NOT be involved in the election procedure
• Can help in other elections

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DUES MONEY

• May NOT be used to promote any candidate over
  another
• May be used to report action taken at a meeting,
  but not why someone was recommended over another
  person

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BALLOT INFORMATION

• Must include
• Office(s) or position(s) to be filled
• Candidate(s) names
• Voting instructions
• Write-in provision???

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Mail Ballot Elections

• Mail at least 21 days prior to election date
• Use double envelope method
• Include instructions
• Remind voters that complete return addresses are
  required

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Remember

• Follow your approved and published Election Plan
• If not, the notice of a new timeline must be
  mailed to home address of every member
• Plan for emergency school closing

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Absentee Voting

• Is allowed
• Must be requested and voted prior to election
  date
• Use a double envelope method

Secrecy is a must! Proxy voting is not allowed
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Requirements

• All eligible members must be provided a
  reasonable opportunity to be nominated for and to
  vote in elections
• Conduct the election even if no nominations are
  received
• Fair Share members do not participate in the
  election process
• Use a PRE-PRINTED SIGNATURE ROSTER

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Election Procedures
Voting must be by secret ballot Never leave
ballots unattended

• NO VOICE VOTES
• NO RAISING HANDS
• NO CALLING IN VOTES

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Election Tally

• Must be done within 7 days of election
• Candidates and/or Poll Watchers are allowed
• Ballots must be secured

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Remember

• Ballots are valid when the intention of the voter
  is clear
• Use valid votes cast to determine results
  (especially if you are conducting more than one
  election on a piece of paper)

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Run Off Elections

• Follow timeline that was published in ADVOCATE
• Conduct election in the same manner as the
  original
• Have only one more candidate than the number of
  remaining positions available on the ballot

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Election Results

• Report results within
• 7 days of tally
• Use a consistent method for reporting all
  elections
• Notify candidates, governing bodies and members

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Storage

• Keep materials collected from buildings/locals
  separated
• ALL election materials MUST be labeled, sealed
  and stored for one year
• Destroy after one year from date of tally

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ELECTION CHALLENGES

• Refer to all applicable governing documents
• Check and follow all procedures and timelines
• Delegate Challenges go to IEA Elections Committee
• All others to IEA Review Board

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Questions????

• Use available resources
• IEA-NEA Elections Handbook
• IEA-NEA Elections Committee Members and Staff
  Liaisons
• IEA-NEA Presidents Office

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REMEMBER
You are the IEA-NEA

• Conduct all elections properly and encourage
  all members to vote!!!!!!