How to count votes

[Guest Gail]

Our ByLaws and Constitution are both silent on how votes are to be counted, and by whom, in the case of an annual election for Board members where nominations have been made from the floor and a secret ballot will therefore be required, rather than a show of hands. Is there a general approach under RONR as to how this should be done? Headed by the Secretary? The Membership chair?

A quick response is most appreciated.

thanks,

gail

[David A Foulkes]

Our ByLaws and Constitution are both silent on how votes are to be counted, and by whom, in the case of an annual election for Board members where nominations have been made from the floor and a secret ballot will therefore be required, rather than a show of hands. Is there a general approach under RONR as to how this should be done? Headed by the Secretary? The Membership chair?

A quick response is most appreciated.

thanks,

gail

Hopefully you have the 11th Edition of Robert's Rules handy, and if not, it might be worth the minor expense. If you have a copy available, take a look at page 417 for balloting procedures.

Basically, the chairman appoints tellers to distribute and collect the ballots. They count them up, and announce their tabulations (recorded in a Teller's Report) and then hand their report to the chairman. He reads the teller's report out loud again to the assembly, then announces the results. For any office that no candidate receives a majority vote, a second (and third and fourth, etc) round of balloting takes place, until there is a winner.

[Guest Gail]

I don't have, since I reside in Africa, but i very much appreciate the answer. I remembered enough to propose such a procedure, but it helps to have the answer authoritatively.

cheers

gail