Write-in Candidates

[VBenz]

We allow write-in candidates by bylaw.  We will also be amending our bylaws to permit virtual and hybrid Annual General meetings in the future.  Do you have any suggestions on how we might address write-in candidates for virtual and hybrid Annual General meetings?

Thanks in advance;  Vic

[Josh Martin]

On 7/13/2022 at 12:37 PM, VBenz said:

We allow write-in candidates by bylaw.  We will also be amending our bylaws to permit virtual and hybrid Annual General meetings in the future.  Do you have any suggestions on how we might address write-in candidates for virtual and hybrid Annual General meetings?

It will likely be necessary for the society to use some form of online balloting system to accommodate elections for meetings conducted in this manner. Some such systems accommodate write-in votes. That would be the ideal solution.

In the event that the society is unable to find a system which both accommodates write-in votes and meets its other needs, a workaround I have sometimes seen used is to simply name one of the "candidates" as "Write-In" (or potentially multiple candidates, if it is an election for multiple seats), and then permit nominations to be reopened between rounds of balloting if needed.

Edited July 13, 2022 at 06:13 PM by Josh Martin

[J. J.]

Or, you could provide for a mail balloting in elections.

[Gary Novosielski]

On 7/13/2022 at 2:12 PM, Josh Martin said:

It will likely be necessary for the society to use some form of online balloting system to accommodate elections for meetings conducted in this manner. Some such systems accommodate write-in votes. That would be the ideal solution.

In the event that the society is unable to find a system which both accommodates write-in votes and meets its other needs, a workaround I have sometimes seen used is to simply name one of the "candidates" as "Write-In" (or potentially multiple candidates, if it is an election for multiple seats), and then permit nominations to be reopened between rounds of balloting if needed.

That's an excellent idea.  I had not seen that one before.  

[VBenz]

Thanks everyone.  This helps a lot.