Guest mike Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:09 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:09 PM I have been advised that absent provisions in the bylaws or standing rules you can not vote by mail. Our by-laws are silent on voting by mail but permit absentee and proxy voting. If both candidates agree to allow absentee ballots to be mailed in and to waive any right to appeal based on those votes is that effective. We want to encourage full participation and hand delivery would be a major deterrent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Guest Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:11 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:11 PM If both candidates agree to allow absentee ballots to be mailed in and to waive any right to appeal based on those votes is that effective. Well, it's not up to the candidates, it's up to the general membership of your organization (as long as it's not in violation of your bylaws). If you don't think your bylaws authorize mailing in the absentee ballots that your your bylaws permit, what sort of "absentee voting" do your bylaws permit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mike Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:39 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:39 PM "If there is more than one candidate for any office, the vote shall be by ballot and signed absentee and proxy ballots shall be allowed."....That's all folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Guest Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:41 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:41 PM "If there is more than one candidate for any office, the vote shall be by ballot and signed absentee and proxy ballots shall be allowed." How are those absentee ballots submitted if not by mail? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mike Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:46 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:46 PM Arguably they could be hand delivered to the secretary.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Guest Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:51 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:51 PM Arguably they could be hand delivered to the secretary.. Okay, but if a member is out-of-state and wants to submit an absentee ballot (per your bylaws) what is he to do? Are you going to tell him he can't mail in his absentee ballot? That he has to deliver it in person? It's not much of an absentee ballot when it has to be delivered in person. And how does he get an absentee ballot in the first place? Would the secretary mail it to him or does he have to show up in person to get it? As always, it's up to each organization to interpret its own bylaws but I think I'd say that a rule that permits absentee ballots permits mailing them in. Others here may differ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:53 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:53 PM How are those absentee ballots submitted if not by mail? Arguably they could be hand delivered to the secretary..What makes you think that submitting them by mail would not be permissible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:54 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 02:54 PM Okay, but if a member is out-of-state and wants to submit an absentee ballot (per your bylaws) what is he to do? Are you going to tell him he can't mail in his absentee ballot? That he has to deliver it in person? It's not much of an absentee ballot when it has to be delivered in person. And how does he get an absentee ballot in the first place? Would the secretary mail it to him or does he have to show up in person to get it? As always, it's up to each organization to interpret its own bylaws but I think I'd say that a rule that permits absentee ballots permits mailing them in. Others here may differ.I don't differ. I agree. Edited to add: Voting by mail is a form of absentee voting. RONR page 423 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mike Posted March 25, 2015 at 07:52 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 07:52 PM Thanks to all. As a follow up where there is no guidance in the by-laws or rules can the president adopt voting procedures such as absentee ballots will only be sent to those who request one, the form of absentee ballots and the cut off time for submitting absentee ballots? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgar Guest Posted March 25, 2015 at 07:56 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 07:56 PM As a follow up where there is no guidance in the by-laws or rules can the president adopt voting procedures such as absentee ballots will only be sent to those who request one, the form of absentee ballots and the cut off time for submitting absentee ballots? It's unlikely the president has the authority to do this unilaterally. The general membership (or, perhaps, the board) would have to adopt any policies regarding absentee voting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted March 25, 2015 at 08:22 PM Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 at 08:22 PM I agree with Mr. Guest. If your bylaws authorize "absentee" voting but provide no details as to how is is to be conducted, the general membership (or the board, if authorized by the bylaws) would have to adopt policies regarding absentee voting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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