1. Or……….

2.  How to Vote for The Count!

3.  Eight Forms of Voting  Unanimous Consent  Voice Vote  Rising Vote  Show of Hands  Ballot  Roll Call  By Mail  By Proxy

4.   In smaller groups or assemblies, the chair may perform counts of votes  For larger groups/assemblies, the chair should appoint Tellers to perform the count (recommended)  If a voice vote is inconclusive, the chair should ask for a rising vote. Counting the Vote

5.   Any number of voting methods by which, on a single ballot when there are more than two possible choices, the second or less-preferred choices of voters can be taken into account if no candidate or proposition attains a majority.  RONR §45, pp 425-426, ll 33-2 Preferential Voting

6.   Each ballot contains all candidate names for a particular office, or all choices being considered for a question.  Voter then selects their choices in ranking order from highest to lowest; 1-first choice, 2-second…..etc.  Ballots are collected and then placed in groups based on first preference for each candidate or choice.  The number of ballots in each group is counted. If mort than ½ of the ballots show one candidate or choice as first choice, then majority is obtained. How It’s Done

7.   If no majority reached, a “process of elimination” takes place:  Beginning with the least popular (candidate receiving the least # of ‘1’-first choice ballots), those ballots are redistributed into the remaining groups based on their 2 nd choice. A new count is made and if a majority is still not reached, then the process (above) is repeated until a majority for any (or the one) remaining candidate is established. How It’s Done – cont’

8.   If a ballot having one or more names not marked with a number comes up for placement at any stage of the counting and all of its marked names have been eliminated, it should be set aside.  If at any point any candidates or propositions are tied for the least popular position, all ties are eliminated and not counted further.  In the event of a tie in the winning position – the election should be resolved in favor of the candidate or choice that was strongest in terms of first choices – by referring to the record of the first distribution. How It’s Done – cont’

9.   In cases where multiple positions are to be filled (e.g. 3 members on a board) the process of deciding is similar except that instead of deciding a single winner, the counting continues until the “top 3” candidates are determined.  Voters should be given thorough instructions on how to mark their ballots, and made sure they understand how the ballots will be counted.  Voters declining to mark a second or other choice are wrong to think this will give their choice an ‘advantage’. Other Considerations

10.   Make sure to count member votes only!  When in doubt, do it again!  Written ballots (paper, mail, proxies, emails, etc.) should be counted at least twice, by more than one person, to ensure an accurate vote. Some Important Safeguards to Remember

11.   How is preferential voting different than voting to Fill In a Blank?  When more than one candidate or choice is offered, which way of deciding what option is chosen or which candidate gets elected is better? If Time Allows: Open Discussion

12.   Joseph Stalin once said “It does not matter who votes; it matters who counts the votes.”  But remember………. Consider this:

13.  Your Count is Voting on You!

15.   DON’T INCLUDE THIS SLIDE! Read the information to the class!  MAKE THEM ACTIVELY LISTEN BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO QUIZ THEM ON THIS LATER!!  More complicated than other methods  Unless provided for in the bylaws, Preferential voting can NOT be used to elect officers. 426,ll9-11  Preferential voting should not be used in cases where it is possible to follow the normal procedure of repeated balloting until one candidate or proposition attains a majority. P 428, ll17-20. Uses and Notes