confirmation on "from the floor" nomination

[hkline]

We are having some issues and we want confirmation ~

We presented our slate at our last meeting ~ our nominating committee opted to put two names where there were two.

One of the nominations for President ended up not having all the requirements so our current president is going unapposed

2 nominee's want the nominating committee to re-write the "ballot" yet they've explained the slate has already been presented ~ and therefore they would need to be nominated from the floor the night of the meeting in order to "re-write" the previously presented slate - since they had accepted the position they were written into and not the one they want now ~

is this correct ~ as from what we can find and what our legislator has said we are doing it correctly by having them withdraw from ballot where they are currently written in - and then be nominated from the floor the night of our meeting so they could then run for the "higher" positions ~

[Kim Goldsworthy]

We presented our slate at our last meeting ~ our nominating committee opted to put two names where there were two.

You're good so far.

One of the nominations for President ended up not having all the requirements so our current president is going unopposed.

2 nominees want the nominating committee to re-write the "ballot" yet they've explained the slate has already been presented ~ and therefore they would need to be nominated from the floor the night of the meeting in order to "re-write" the previously presented slate - since they had accepted the position they were written into and not the one they want now ~

That sounds right. -- A Nom. Comm. presents its data, then the Nom. Comm. is done.

All other nominations are done via a floor nomination.

[Rev Ed]

The Nominating Committee, unless required to by the By-laws, does not have to nominate more than one person per position. Thus, the Committee only requires to nominate one person for President for example. Other nominations can be done on from the floor at the meeting.

However, if the Nominating Committee, while performing its duties, finds two qualified members willing to run for a position, then the Committee - although not compelled to do so - can nominate both members. However, it cannot be forced to do so unless the By-laws or the membership order it.

[David A Foulkes]

We are having some issues and we want confirmation ~

As has been oft-quoted here before, the nominating committee is the first step in the process, not the last. That belongs to the voters at the election meeting, at which (barring any rule to the contrary) nominations should be allowed from the floor to supplement the NC's selections prior to voting. And don't forget about write-in votes as well.

[Josh Martin]

However, if the Nominating Committee, while performing its duties, finds two qualified members willing to run for a position, then the Committee - although not compelled to do so - can nominate both members.

Well, usually a nominating committee will do this if it's really too close to call on which candidate is more qualified. The role of the nominating committee is generally to nominate the best candidate for each position, and it should not normally nominate additional candidates.

However, it cannot be forced to do so unless the By-laws or the membership order it.

I think it is also important to note that RONR recommends against such requirements, since it's easy to work around them by simply electing one "real" nominee and one throw-away candidate.

[Rev Ed]

Well, usually a nominating committee will do this if it's really too close to call on which candidate is more qualified. The role of the nominating committee is generally to nominate the best candidate for each position, and it should not normally nominate additional candidates.

But the Committee is free to do so. And two highly qualified candidates should be nominated one way or another.

I think it is also important to note that RONR recommends against such requirements, since it's easy to work around them by simply electing one "real" nominee and one throw-away candidate.

Agreed.

[Tim Wynn]

2 nominee's want the nominating committee to re-write the "ballot"

The nominating committee should not be handling the ballot. It should just report its nominations.

[Guest dopcba]

This follows a situation I have. Two people running for VP submitted their applications by the deadline. A third person submitted her application after the deadline, but she insists that her name be included on the preprinted ballot even though she will have to be nominated from the floor in order to be included in the voting. Should the third person be on the preprinted ballot, or only the two candidates who fulfilled the deadline requirement?

[Gary Novosielski]

This follows a situation I have. Two people running for VP submitted their applications by the deadline. A third person submitted her application after the deadline, but she insists that her name be included on the preprinted ballot even though she will have to be nominated from the floor in order to be included in the voting. Should the third person be on the preprinted ballot, or only the two candidates who fulfilled the deadline requirement?

RONR does not mention deadlines for application. These are custom rules of your society, and all we can tell you is that you should follow them.

Do your rules say that people who file after the deadline can't be on the ballot? Do they say anything about what the consequences of filing after the "deadline" are? If not, maybe there are none?

[hmtcastle]

she insists that her name be included on the preprinted ballot even though she will have to be nominated from the floor in order to be included in the voting

The fact that she's "insisting" (instead of, say, requesting) suggests she's on shaky ground. Ask her why she thinks the deadline should not apply to her. If she hasn't been nominated (yet?) she hasn't been nominated. And if she hasn't been nominated, why should she be on the ballot?