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  May be submitted electronically

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 NO VOICE VOTES NO RAISING HANDS NO CALLING IN VOTES Voting must be by secret ballot Never leave ballots unattended

15. Election Tally  Must be done within 7days 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 labeled, 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 Conduct all elections properly and encourage all members to vote!!!!!! You are the IEA-NEA