Disclosing votes received by each candidate

[Guest Laurie Kendall-Ellis]

We have a member asking to see the number of votes each candidate received at last year's election. At the announcing of the results we announce the total number of votes cast and then the winners. We do not post number of votes each candidate received. Our bylaws do not address how the results are presented other than the winners assume office at the end of the meeting. We also address how to contest results within 30 days of election results.

 

question: is there any reason we should not provide this detailed information to the member?

[George Mervosh]

We have a member asking to see the number of votes each candidate received at last year's election. At the announcing of the results we announce the total number of votes cast and then the winners. We do not post number of votes each candidate received. Our bylaws do not address how the results are presented other than the winners assume office at the end of the meeting. We also address how to contest results within 30 days of election results.

 

question: is there any reason we should not provide this detailed information to the member?

 

RONR requires this information be provided to the assembly during the election.

 

" The result is always declared by the chair, who also reads the tellers' report before he does so. In an election, the chair separately declares the election of each officer (see also 46). In balloting on a motion, the chair announces the result.

The tellers' report is entered in full in the minutes, becoming a part of the official records of the organization. Under no circumstances should this be omitted in an election or in a vote on a critical motion out of a mistaken deference to the feelings of unsuccessful candidates or members of the losing side."  RONR (11th ed.), p. 418

 

Since the minutes of the election meeting have already been approved, presumably, move to have the tellers report added to them at the next meeting. If he's at the meeting he'll obviously now know the detailed results, and so will everyone else.  Start following RONR's rules on this matter with your next election.

[Guest Edgar]

We do not post number of votes each candidate received.

Well, you don't have to "post" them (whatever that may mean) but, as Mr. Mervosh indicated, the details should be announced at the election meeting and entered, in full, in the minutes.

Look at it this way: Why should only a few members (i.e. the tellers) be privy to the details.

For more on this topic, click here.

[Gary Novosielski]

We have a member asking to see the number of votes each candidate received at last year's election. At the announcing of the results we announce the total number of votes cast and then the winners. We do not post number of votes each candidate received. Our bylaws do not address how the results are presented other than the winners assume office at the end of the meeting. We also address how to contest results within 30 days of election results.

 

question: is there any reason we should not provide this detailed information to the member?

No.  Furthermore, you should have provided this detailed information to all members (the present ones at least) at the time of the election, and recorded the results in the minutes.  The member should not have had to ask for it in the first place.