Elections
Process
You are the IEA-NEA
Proper conduction of
elections
is your
responsibility!
Labor organizations are governed by the Landrum-Griffin Act
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
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
Nomination Process
 Be sure to allow
enough time
 Inform all members of
the nomination
procedure and
deadline
 May be submitted
electronically
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
CANDIDATES
 MUST NOT be involved in
the election procedure
 Can help in other elections
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
BALLOT INFORMATION
 Must include
– Office(s) or position(s)
to be filled
– Candidate(s) names
– Voting instructions
– Write-in provision???
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
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
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
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
Election Procedures
Voting must be
by secret ballot
Never leave ballots
unattended
NO VOICE VOTES
NO RAISING HANDS
NO CALLING IN VOTES
Election Tally
 Must be done within
7days of election
 Candidates and/or
Poll Watchers are
allowed
 Ballots must be
secured
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)
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
Election Results
 Report results within
7 days of tally
 Use a consistent
method for reporting all
elections
 Notify candidates,
governing bodies and
members
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
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
Questions????
 Use available
resources
– IEA-NEA Elections
Handbook
– IEA-NEA Elections
Committee Members
and Staff Liaisons
– IEA-NEA President’s
Office
REMEMBER
You are the IEA-NEA
Conduct all
elections properly
and encourage
all members to
vote!!!!!!