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Election vote


potemm

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Yes, a ballot paper can be used when there is only one nominee. The ballot should also have a blank for voters to write in a different choice, if desired. A voter, in this case, can only vote against the nominee by writing in the name of someone else. Blank ballots are treated as waste paper and are not recorded as a vote cast.

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If a organization is electing officers and there is only "one" person nominated, can the body put a motion on the floor for a paper ballot? If they can, what happens if the person does not get a majority of the votes?

Thanks,

Richard

Yes, a ballot can be ordered by majority vote (p. 273).

Yes, if the majority votes for someone else; write-in votes are permitted (p. 427). A yes/no ballot is not proper(p. 416).

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If a organization is electing officers and there is only "one" person nominated, can the body put a motion on the floor for a paper ballot?

A member can move that the vote be taken by ballot, yes. It requires a second; it's not debatable; it is amendable; it requires a majority vote. See RONR(10th ed.), p. 273-275. As an added note, the body does not put a motion on the floor; the chair places it before the assembly by stating the question (repeating the motion offered by the member - p. 36).

Unless the bylaws require a ballot, the chair can declare the position filled by "acclamation" or unanimous consent, if there's only one nominee. See RONR(10th ed.), p.428, l. 32-35.

If they can, what happens if the person does not get a majority of the votes?

Thanks,

Richard

You vote again, until a majority is achieved. See RONR(10th ed.), p. 425, l. 25-30.

However, to be clear, you should understand what a majority means. It means a majority of those voting ("more than half of those entitled to vote and registering any evidence of having some opinion.") - RONR(10th ed.), p 402-403.

The only way to vote against a candidate in an election is to vote for someone else, and that would be a write-in candidate in this case. See RONR (10th ed.), p. 400, l. 1-4.

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