Board of Director Elections

[Guest Frank V.]

Dear Parliamentarian, On our Board we have 5 vacancies this election, and possibly 5 or 6 Nominees.

If some or none do not receive a Majority, do we re open nominations and re-cast ballots? Thank you.

[Weldon Merritt]

If some or none do not receive a Majority, do we re open nominations and re-cast ballots? Thank you.

Those who do receive a majority are eletced, and you vote again (as often as necessary) until all positions are filled. Re-opening nominations is an option, but it is not automatic; it requires a motion, and a majority vote.

[Trina]

Dear Parliamentarian, On our Board we have 5 vacancies this election, and possibly 5 or 6 Nominees.

If some or none do not receive a Majority, do we re open nominations and re-cast ballots? Thank you.

The fact that you contemplate the possibility that none may receive a majority (with only 5 or 6 nominees for 5 vacancies) makes me wonder if members are being allowed to vote 'yes/no' on each nominee. That is not proper in an election. The only way to vote against a candidate is to vote for someone else for the position. Abstentions do not count. 'Majority' means majority of votes cast (not majority of people in the room). Unless your bylaws define 'majority' differently for the purposes of election, I wonder if there is some misunderstanding on how the election is to be conducted.

Of course, it's always possible that each of the candidates is only popular with a small circle of friends, that many voters will vote for only one or two candidates (despite the 5 open positions), and that each candidate gets a smattering of votes... and that the circles of popularity don't overlap enough for anyone to get a majority on the first round... If that's the problem, proceed as Mr. Merritt described, with multiple rounds of voting. See RONR (11th ed.) p. 441 ll. 11-24.

[David A Foulkes]

Dear Parliamentarian, On our Board we have 5 vacancies this election, and possibly 5 or 6 Nominees.

If some or none do not receive a Majority, do we re open nominations and re-cast ballots? Thank you.

Are you voting for each position one at a time, or all at once on the same ballot?

[Rev Ed]

Nominations would not have to be re-opened, especially if write-in votes are allowed. But, those who receive a majority vote are elected, other positions would require re-balloting.

[Josh Martin]

Of course, it's always possible that each of the candidates is only popular with a small circle of friends, that many voters will vote for only one or two candidates (despite the 5 open positions), and that each candidate gets a smattering of votes... and that the circles of popularity don't overlap enough for anyone to get a majority on the first round... If that's the problem, proceed as Mr. Merritt described, with multiple rounds of voting. See RONR (11th ed.) p. 441 ll. 11-24.

There is also the possibility that many members will cast write-in votes, however, I think both your concerns are valid. If there are only five or six nominees for five positions, for no one to receive a majority certainly suggests an unusual situation.