Statement of candidacy

[Guest Larry Schwartz]

We recently had an election with two candidates running for the office. Both candidates were asked to submit a statement of candidacy. Candidate A did. Candidate B did not. The election administrator decided (?) not to print out Candidate A's statement on the ballot. Candidate B won by a very small margin (3) votes. Does Candidate A have any sort of a case to ask for another vote/run off because his statement was not printed for the membership to read?

[Bruce Lages]

Do your bylaws require the submission of a statement of candidacy in order to qualify as a candidate for office?

[Guest Larry Schwartz]

No, not required......

[Bruce Lages]

Then I don't think candidate A has any recourse to get a new election. RONR recognizes only a few reasons that would invalidate an election, and omitting an act that is not required is not one of them.

[Dan Honemann]

On 5/8/2024 at 10:09 AM, Guest Larry Schwartz said:

We recently had an election with two candidates running for the office. Both candidates were asked to submit a statement of candidacy. Candidate A did. Candidate B did not. The election administrator decided (?) not to print out Candidate A's statement on the ballot. Candidate B won by a very small margin (3) votes. Does Candidate A have any sort of a case to ask for another vote/run off because his statement was not printed for the membership to read?

I guess the real question to ask is what, if anything, do your bylaws or other rules say about the printing of candidate's statements on ballots or relating to any sort of distribution of such statements?

[Joshua Katz]

On 5/8/2024 at 7:09 AM, Guest Larry Schwartz said:

Both candidates were asked to submit a statement of candidacy.

 

On 5/8/2024 at 9:44 AM, Guest Larry Schwartz said:

No, not required......

Then who did the asking, and why?

[Gary Novosielski]

On 5/8/2024 at 12:44 PM, Guest Larry Schwartz said:

No, not required......

Then I think Candidate A is simply seeking to have a valid election overturned for no better reason than he don't like the result.  Believe it or not, that does happen.  

[Guest Larry Schwartz]

So what you all are telling me is that besides being REALLY PISSED OFF at the Election Administrator for omitting A's statement, and besides the fact that a passionate and factual statement ( B has done some shady things in the past) which might have swayed, let's say 5 people to  vote for A and not B (which would have won the election for A), unless there is something specific in the Bylaws, there is nothing Candidate A can do. Am I saying it correctly? Thanks all.

[Dan Honemann]

On 5/10/2024 at 9:36 AM, Guest Larry Schwartz said:

So what you all are telling me is that besides being REALLY PISSED OFF at the Election Administrator for omitting A's statement, and besides the fact that a passionate and factual statement ( B has done some shady things in the past) which might have swayed, let's say 5 people to  vote for A and not B (which would have won the election for A), unless there is something specific in the Bylaws, there is nothing Candidate A can do. Am I saying it correctly? Thanks all.

You have yet to answer my questions.  I repeat: What, if anything, do your bylaws or other rules say about the printing of candidate's statements on ballots or relating to any sort of distribution of such statements?

[Guest Larry Schwartz]

Hi Dan,

Sorry.... There is nothing written in our bylaws that relates to a candidates statement being on the ballot nor distributed to the membership. It's just a courtesy to a candidate if they want the membership to know why they are better suited for the job than the other candidates. Let me throw another wrinkle in this.....If the Election Administrator has some kind of "hidden agenda" and (s)he is good buds with Candidate B, it would be to B's advantage for A's statement not to be printed. Certainly not very ethical, but then again, not required. Thoughts?  I know, I know......and if pigs could fly..........

Thanks

[Dan Honemann]

On 5/10/2024 at 10:23 AM, Guest Larry Schwartz said:

Hi Dan,

Sorry.... There is nothing written in our bylaws that relates to a candidates statement being on the ballot nor distributed to the membership. It's just a courtesy to a candidate if they want the membership to know why they are better suited for the job than the other candidates. Let me throw another wrinkle in this.....If the Election Administrator has some kind of "hidden agenda" and (s)he is good buds with Candidate B, it would be to B's advantage for A's statement not to be printed. Certainly not very ethical, but then again, not required. Thoughts?  I know, I know......and if pigs could fly..........

Thanks

Based upon what you say here, Candidate A voluntarily submitted a statement when asked to do so, although the request to do so was in no way authorized or required by your rules, and there is nothing in your rules saying anything at all about what should be done with such a statement if submitted.  Under such circumstances, it seems to me that Candidate A has little to complain about. There is certainly no bases here for overturning the election.

[Guest Larry Schwartz]

Dan,

Thanks again for your knowledge, wisdom, and input. It is much appreciated!

Larry