Joe Sq

Thank you for the explanation. In the past we always listed everyone on the ballot with room for a write-in even on uncontested positions so this is something new I'm doing. We recently had a case where a past officer, who did not have the club's best interest in mind, was not re-elected. At the next election he did not run and many of the general membership, seeing that the position was uncontested, stayed home. The less than desirable candidate then tried to pack the meeting with friends with the intention of winning by write-in. Of course it would be fine if he allowed his name on the ballot but he was obviously trying to game the system against the wishes of the majority. We are a small club and the vote was close but fortunately he didn't have as many friends as needed. Shame on those who did not bother to do their duty to vote but I want to avoid this happening in an upcoming election. Longer term, we will update our bylaws to handle this. Again, thank you for your insight.

We have an election coming up where the nominees for president and secretary are unopposed but the election of directors and sgt. at arms are contested. Our bylaws state that all contested elections will be by secret ballot but at the option of the presiding officer, non-contested elections may be by voice vote. Is an election considered contested if any position is contested or is it acceptable to have a secret ballot for only the contested positions and a voice vote for the uncontested positions? I appreciate any opinions.

We recently changed our bylaws to two-year terms with the President and VP expiring in alternate years. Terms expire on December 31. The President term expires this year, the VP term expires next year. If the VP runs for and is elected President, am I correct in assuming the VP position remains filled until the first of the year and only becomes vacant on January 1 when the current VP assumes his new position? At that time we would then hold a special election? We neglected to account for this in the bylaw change which of course will be addressed in the next update.

Thank you, I will post all as a new topic. (My situation is the same as this topic, we have two-year terms with the president and vice president on alternate years.)

Assuming seats expire on December 31. If the Vice President wins the election for President does the position of Vice President then become vacant on January 1? This would require a special election for Vice President as soon as possible after the first of the year?