Elections Process

1. Elections Process

2. You are the IEA-NEA Proper conduction of elections is your responsibility! Labor organizations are governed by the Landrum-Griffin Act

3. Resource Documents • Bylaws ---- Local, Region, State, and National • For local elections- refer to local governing documents • IEA-NEA Elections Handbook • The guide to local, region and state elections • Booklet on delegate requirements for NEA-RA • Sent to locals with more than 75 members (other locals are clustered by regions) • Robert’s Rules of Order

4. NOTICE of State and National Elections • Must be mailed to each member’s home address not less than 15 days prior to the election • This requirement is taken care of by the dates being published in the ADVOCATE • Hold election on the published date

5. Nomination Process • Be sure to allow enough time • Inform all members of the nomination procedure and deadline

6. Declared Elections • Candidates may be declared elected if: • The number of candidates equals the number of positions available AND • No write-in provision is required by the governing documents

7. CANDIDATES • MUST NOT be involved in the election procedure • Can help in other elections

8. DUES MONEY • May NOT be used to promote any candidate over another • May be used to report action taken at a meeting, but not why someone was recommended over another person

9. BALLOT INFORMATION • Must include • Office(s) or position(s) to be filled • Candidate(s) names • Voting instructions • Write-in provision???

10. Mail Ballot Elections • Mail at least 15 days prior to tally date • Use double envelope method • Include instructions • Remind voters that complete return addresses are required

11. Remember • Follow your approved and published Election Plan • If not, the notice of a new timeline must be mailed to home address of every member • Plan for emergency school closing

12. Absentee Voting • Is allowed • Must be requested and voted prior to election date • Use a double envelope method Secrecy is a must! Proxy voting is not allowed

13. Requirements • All eligible members must be provided a reasonable opportunity to be nominated for and to vote in elections • Conduct the election even if no nominations are received • Fair Share members do not participate in the election process • Use a PRE-PRINTED SIGNATURE ROSTER

14. Election Procedures Voting must be by secret ballot Never leave ballots unattended • NO VOICE VOTES • NO RAISING HANDS • NO CALLING IN VOTES

15. Election Tally • Must be done within7days of election • Candidates and/or Poll Watchers are allowed • Ballots must be secured

16. Remember • Ballots are valid when the intention of the voter is clear • Use valid votes cast to determine results (especially if you are conducting more than one election on a piece of paper)

17. Run Off Elections • Follow timeline that was published in ADVOCATE • Conduct election in the same manner as the original • Have only one more candidate than the number of remaining positions available on the ballot

18. Election Results • Report results within 7 days of tally • Use a consistent method for reporting all elections • Notify candidates, governing bodies and members

19. Storage • Keep materials collected from buildings/locals separated • ALL election materials MUST be sealed and stored for one year • Destroy after one year from date of tally

20. ELECTION CHALLENGES • Refer to all applicable governing documents • Check and follow all procedures and timelines • Delegate Challenges go to IEA Elections Committee • All others to IEA Review Board

21. Questions???? • Use available resources • IEA-NEA Elections Handbook • IEA-NEA Elections Committee Members and Staff Liaisons • IEA-NEA President’s Office

22. REMEMBER You are the IEA-NEA Conduct all elections properly and encourage all members to vote!!!!!!