Appointment of vacant elected positions

[Guest Linkster]

If no one runs for one of the elected positions, i.e. vice-president, does the president have the power to appoint someone to fill the vacancy for the term or does she have to call for a special election?

[David A Foulkes]

Whether anyone "runs" for an office, there should also be an opportunity for the assembly to offer nominations from the floor before the election, which may result in a candidate. If the vote is taken by ballot, there should also be the option for write-in votes, which could result in someone being elected (if they don't decline). But if no one "runs", or is nominated, or written in, you have an incomplete election (as opposed to a vacancy) and need to hold further nominations and elections. Any vacancy-filling provisions which may be found in your bylaws would not apply. As for does the president have the power to appoint someone to the position, only if your bylaws (or other governing rules) give him that authority. RONR does not.

[Guest Guest]

OK, the nominating committee presented a slate, which did not have a propose candidate for the position. The nominations were then opened to the floor and no one was nominated. The only provision in the ByLaws allows the president to appoint a vacancy in the event of resignation, incapacitated, or death. To maintain the flow of the organization, can she appoint someone to the vacancy or must she call for a special election?

[David A Foulkes]

.... a special election?

This one.

But, if the nominating committee couldn't come up with anyone, and nobody cared to nominate anyone from the floor, the next step is to find someone willing to be elected. Once you do that, hold the special election and hope at least a majority of voters agrees with the selection.

And just to be sure, there is no restriction in RONR to nominating yourself. It's called volunteering, and it's a-ok.

[Guest Guest]

Thanks!