Do nomination periods have to be officially closed?

[Guest Bob]

If a meeting to nominate officers was held, is the chair of the nominating committee required to close the nomination period? Question is, If it wasn't stated that the "nomination period is closed can the nominating period be open until voting?

Thank you so much again!

[Sean Hunt]

Unless your bylaws specifically say otherwise, when the nomination committee presents its report, the chair must then call for nominations from the floor. If your bylaws do say otherwise, then do what they say.

[Gary Novosielski]

If a meeting to nominate officers was held, is the chair of the nominating committee required to close the nomination period? Question is, If it wasn't stated that the "nomination period is closed can the nominating period be open until voting?

Thank you so much again!

The nominating committee gives its report. Its chair has nothing to do with opening or closing other nominations from the floor, which would happen after the nominating committee's report is read to the assembly. Any nominations after that are handled by the presiding officer.

[Josh Martin]

If a meeting to nominate officers was held, is the chair of the nominating committee required to close the nomination period?

No, the chair of the assembly should close the nominations. After it is clear that no further nominations are forthcoming, the chair should announce that nominations are closed.

Question is, If it wasn't stated that the "nomination period is closed can the nominating period be open until voting?

No, I don't think so. I'd argue that nominations are closed when the assembly moves on to other business, even if there is no announcement by the chair. The assembly can, however, reopen nominations by majority vote. Additionally, members are not limited to voting for candidates who were nominated - write-in votes are permissible.