new election

[Guest cmg]

We need to have a second election as no candidate received a majority vote. Nominations were reopened. The election committee is now being questioned by a candidate from the original election, as to the citation from RONR that indicates that nominations should be reopened. The election committee saw this new election as a new election, thereby the need to reopen nominations. The original candidates remain on the ballot as per RONR. Any advice?

[Robert B Fish]

Actually, you should not view this as having a second election. When no candidate received a majority in the first election, you have an "incomplete election" and must revote. [page 425] You may not drop the lowest candidate(s), [page 426] although one or more may withdraw. You could also reopen nominations (majority vote required).

[J. J.]

We need to have a second election as no candidate received a majority vote. Nominations were reopened. The election committee is now being questioned by a candidate from the original election, as to the citation from RONR that indicates that nominations should be reopened. The election committee saw this new election as a new election, thereby the need to reopen nominations. The original candidates remain on the ballot as per RONR. Any advice?

Nominations may be reopened by a majority vote (p. 277).

[Gary Novosielski]

We need to have a second election as no candidate received a majority vote. Nominations were reopened. The election committee is now being questioned by a candidate from the original election, as to the citation from RONR that indicates that nominations should be reopened. The election committee saw this new election as a new election, thereby the need to reopen nominations. The original candidates remain on the ballot as per RONR. Any advice?

It is not a new election, it is the second ballot of the same election. There was no need to reopen nominations, and if you had a nomination committee their job was done and they were dissolved when they rose and reported. RONR does not make mention of an election committee. The election is handled by the presiding officer, unless your bylaws have some customized rules, in which case, follow them.

It would, however, be in order to reopen nomination by a majority vote or unanimous consent. But it is not necessary, since members are free to write in anyone they like.

[Guest cmg]

in our association, there is a Rep Council (governing body) in which the election outcomes were announced. Agreed, that it was incomplete election. There is no guidelines regarding elections (for the purpose of leadership positions are always done by ballot) other than to follow RONR. The problem is that the RONR rules pertain to elections done at a meeting (in our case Rep Council) not voted on by the general constituency.

[Gary Novosielski]

in our association, there is a Rep Council (governing body) in which the election outcomes were announced. Agreed, that it was incomplete election. There is no guidelines regarding elections (for the purpose of leadership positions are always done by ballot) other than to follow RONR. The problem is that the RONR rules pertain to elections done at a meeting (in our case Rep Council) not voted on by the general constituency.

Well, elections would not be done at a Rep Council meeting anyway, they would be done at a membership meeting, I presume. But you can't just follow RONR because RONR says you cannot have absentee voting at all. Or do you have polling places set up where members cast their votes in person?

[Guest cmg]

there are several constituency ballot votes in our association...two were incomplete elections....one where no candidate received a majority and the second where a candidate did receive a majority but opted to take another position. The second scenerio left one candidate who DID NOT receive a majority. That was when we reopened nominations as an election committee. There was no concern from the Rep Council at the time....

[Guest cmg]

We have a neutral polling place

[Robert B Fish]

That was when we reopened nominations as an election committee.

The 'WE' who decide to reopen nominatioins should be the membership and not the board of directors.

-Bob

[Guest cmg]

We have 850 members in the association AND a governing body known as Rep Council....all Reps were elected by their constituencies to represent their interests

[Robert B Fish]

We have 850 members in the association AND a governing body known as Rep Council....all Reps were elected by their constituencies to represent their interests

OK. As per your bylaws, who elects the officers and do your bylaws confer upon the Rep Council any special powers to oversee the elections?

-Bob