LAUC-LA Handbook: Procedures (Election)

STANDING RULE 1. PROCEDURE FOR ELECTIONS (Amended 1988, 1993, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2011)

1. At least five working days prior to the date established by Standing Rule 1.5 for distribution of ballots, each candidate shall submit brief biographical information to the LAUC-LA Secretary. Candidates for Chair-Elect, Statewide Representative and Chair-Elect of CAPA shall also submit a Statement of Purpose.

2. The LAUC-LA Secretary shall have the candidates' biographical information and Statements of Purpose placed on the LAUC-LA website, to be available no sooner than the day after the spring membership meeting.

3. At least five working days prior to the date established by Standing Rule 1.5 for distribution of ballots, the LAUC-LA Secretary shall submit to the Chair of the Elections Committee the slate of candidates and the online address of the candidates' brief biographical information and Statements of Purpose from candidates for Chair-Elect, Statewide Representative and Chair-Elect of CAPA.

4. With the approval of the LAUC-LA Executive Board, an online method of voting may be used to conduct elections.

5. At least fourteen days before the date of any election, the chair of the Election Committee shall send a ballot to each LAUC-LA member. If the election is being conducted through an online method, each member shall be sent an electronic mail message containing a link to the online ballot site.

6. The ballot for regular elections shall contain alphabetical lists of the candidates. The ballot shall contain the online address of the candidates' brief biographical information and Statements of Purpose from candidates for Chair-Elect, Statewide Representative and Chair-Elect of CAPA.

7. All ballots for special elections shall contain an alphabetical list of the candidates for any office or position to be filled. The ballot shall contain the online address of the candidates' brief biographical information and Statements of Purpose from candidates for Chair-Elect, Statewide Representative and Chair-Elect of CAPA.

8. All ballots shall indicate the date by which they are to be returned, the address to which they must be sent, and shall contain instructions for casting a valid ballot. For elections conducted using an online method, the electronic mail message sent to each LAUC-LA member that is prescribed in Standing Rule 1.5 above shall also contain instructions for casting a valid ballot and the deadline by which the ballot must be cast.

9. Two envelopes shall accompany each ballot, one in which the ballot is to be enclosed and one in which the first envelope is to be enclosed. The second or outer envelope shall have a space in the upper left corner for the printed name and the signature of the voter and should be pre-addressed to the Chair of the Election Committee. This provision does not apply to elections conducted using an online method of voting.

10. On the next working day following the date of the election, the Election Committee shall validate, open and count the ballots. For elections conducted using an online method of voting, on the next working day after the date of the election at least two members of the Election Committee shall obtain the results directly from the provider of the balloting services.

11. Not more than five working days following the date of the election, the Chair of the Election Committee shall submit in writing to the Chair and the Secretary the results of the election.

12. Not more than 10 days following the date of the election the Secretary of LAUC-LA shall submit the results in writing to the Secretary of LAUC.

13. The Chair of the Election Committee shall act as custodian of the ballots for 30 working days following the election at which time the ballots shall be destroyed. For elections conducted using an online method of voting, ballot information shall no longer be available to the Elections Committee from the service provider after 30 working days following the election.

14. If no candidate receives a majority of the valid votes cast for that office, the Executive Board shall within 15 days direct the Election Committee to hold a special run-off election.

15. The Chair of LAUC-LA shall notify candidates of the results of regular and special elections.

16. The Secretary of LAUC-LA shall report the results to the membership not later than 20 days after the election or run-off election in the

Committee Chair should obtain list of LAUC-LA members' previous committee service from LAUC-LA Secretary.

Meet with committee members early (in fall quarter).

Begin discussion of possible candidates with CAPA Chair-elect and LAUC-LA Chair-elect as first priority.  Once candidates for these positions are confirmed, ask individuals for other positions (Secretary and Representatives).

Per Standing Rule #1:

“At least five working days prior to the date established by Standing Rule 1.5 for distribution of ballots, each candidate shall submit brief biographical information to the LAUC-LA Secretary. Candidates for Chair-Elect, Statewide Representative and Chair-Elect of CAPA shall also submit a Statement of Purpose.”

5/4/2012:  It has been suggested that for next year's election, the Executive Board draft guidelines about the length and content of the "brief biographical information" so that candidates can be informed about what is appropriate to include in the ballot.

NOTE: Election committee members are ineligible.