Withdrawing from Election

[Guest Guest]

If a current Board Member was originally going to run in the upcoming election against a new nominee but decides to withdraw from the election after the members were notified of who was on the ballot, does their name stay on the ballot and what happens if they receive more votes that the other nominees even though they have already told the board that they do not want to run??

[Gary Novosielski]

If a current Board Member was originally going to run in the upcoming election against a new nominee but decides to withdraw from the election after the members were notified of who was on the ballot, does their name stay on the ballot and what happens if they receive more votes that the other nominees even though they have already told the board that they do not want to run??

If there is time to remove the person's name from the ballot at his request, it would be okay to do so. If the process is too far along to change, there is no requirement to remove it. Strictly speaking, it doesn't matter if there are names on the ballot. Blank pieces of paper would be acceptable.

If he (or anyone else) receives a majority of the votes cast (more than all the others put together), then he is elected. He may then decline the position; if he does, the election is incomplete and another round of voting is called for. If nobody receives a majority, same thing--another round of voting, or more, until someone receives a majority vote, and is willing to serve.

[Rev Ed]

If it is not too late in the process (i.e if the organization pre-orders ballots with names of nominated candidates on them, which is not necessary as a blank ballot will suffice), then the member may simply make a statement during the discussion around the election that he/she will not accept election and that members should vote for another member. Otherwise, the nomination can be declined at the meeting.