All nominees declined

[Guest Niccole Joy]

Our officer nominations has closed according to our bylaws. The nominees for two positions have all declined their nominations, leaving these positions vacant. We will hold elections in February. What should be done from here?

[David A Foulkes]

Our officer nominations has closed according to our bylaws. The nominees for two positions have all declined their nominations, leaving these positions vacant. We will hold elections in February. What should be done from here?

The chair should call for further nominations from the floor prior to balloting. The members could also adopt a motion to re-open nominations. Finally, during balloting, write-in votes are allowed for anyone who has not been nominated. Your rules may vary.

Finally, depending on how your bylaws define terms of office, it could be that the current officers stay in office until their successors are elected at a subsequent election meeting.

[Rev Ed]

Re-open nominations. That is the simple answer.

Although technically a person cannot decline a nomination - however, a nominee could make a statement that "If elected, I will not accept election." or words to that effect. So technically, the organization still has nominees for those positions - it simply doesn't have anyone will to accept election.

The other option would be a write in vote, if the By-laws allow for them (which they should.) Although, again, you need to find someone will to accept election.

[Gary Novosielski]

The other option would be a write in vote, if the By-laws allow for them (which they should.)

I think you meant:

"The other option would be a write-in vote, unless the bylaws prohibit them (which they should not.)

[Rev Ed]

I think you meant:

"The other option would be a write-in vote, unless the bylaws prohibit them (which they should not.)

True - that's accurate.