More "no" votes for board president

[Guest dglvnjd]

We had an election for our board and the president received more "no" votes than "yes". so now someone says that because that person ran unopposed (we presented a slate to the membership of one candidate per position) that even one yes means they are elected no matter how many no's. Then we discover that there may be improprieties like people voting more than once. So we invalidated the election and will do over without a "no" box.  Does this sound like the correct course?  Thank you for any help.

[Edgar Guest]

If your bylaws don't require a ballot vote, the chair can declare the sole nominee elected "by acclamation".

 

If your bylaws do require a ballot vote, the only way you can vote "against" a candidate is to vote for someone else. There are no "no" votes in an election.

[Hieu H. Huynh]

We had an election for our board and the president received more "no" votes than "yes". so now someone says that because that person ran unopposed (we presented a slate to the membership of one candidate per position) that even one yes means they are elected no matter how many no's. Then we discover that there may be improprieties like people voting more than once. So we invalidated the election and will do over without a "no" box.  Does this sound like the correct course?  Thank you for any help.

 

Is the "we" to which you're referring the general membership? The election was ruled null and void at a general membership meeting? And a new election will take place at the next general membership meeting?

[Guest Guest]

Is the "we" to which you're referring the general membership? The election was ruled null and void at a general membership meeting? And a new election will take place at the next general membership meeting?

No. "we" is the board of directors. The board invalidated the election and a new one with proper controls is to be done asap. The vote is taken electronically so we send an email with the voting information to the membership. By way of description, this is a very large community service organization. We have +/- 6000 general members, most of whom have no contact with the organization other than making a donation. The bylaws say that nominations are solicited and presented to the board. The board then presents a slate to the membership for voting. It seems that is where the problem started; when the ballot went out with a "no" box and without tracking for maintaining the integrity of the election. 

[Richard Brown]

Does  this organization have general membership meetings at all, even an annual meeting?

 

Is all business conducted by the Board of Directors?   And do the bylaws specifically give the board the power to conduct all of the affairs of the organization?

[Guest Guest]

Does  this organization have general membership meetings at all, even an annual meeting?

 

Is all business conducted by the Board of Directors?   And do the bylaws specifically give the board the power to conduct all of the affairs of the organization?

There is an annual membership meeting, and yes, the bylaws give the board the power to conduct all affairs.

[Edgar Guest]

There is an annual membership meeting, and yes, the bylaws give the board the power to conduct all affairs.

 

But not, I suspect, the authority to nullify a general election (see Official Interpretation 2006-12). Which is not to say the election shouldn't be re-done (or, more accurately, continued until completed).

[Hieu H. Huynh]

 

... The vote is taken electronically so we send an email with the voting information to the membership...

 

Is electronic (absentee) voting authorized in your bylaws?

[Guest Guest]

 

 

 

Is electronic (absentee) voting authorized in your bylaws?

 

the bylaws specifically say electronic voting because of the nature of the membership and cost associated with any other kind.

[Josh Martin]

We had an election for our board and the president received more "no" votes than "yes". so now someone says that because that person ran unopposed (we presented a slate to the membership of one candidate per position) that even one yes means they are elected no matter how many no's. Then we discover that there may be improprieties like people voting more than once. So we invalidated the election and will do over without a "no" box.  Does this sound like the correct course?  Thank you for any help.

While there may have been some errors in how the board has gone about this, it seems that the end result is that another election will be held. Based upon the facts provided, this appears to be the correct course in any event.

A "yes" or "no" vote should not have been taken, but it was, so you're stuck with the results. As a consequence, no one is elected, and there will need to be another round of voting. Next time, the options should be for members to vote for the sole candidate on the ballot or to write in a candidate of their choice.