Notes and Comments on Robert's Rules, Fourth Edition

Nominations and Elections

134 Nominations and Elections Must a member be nominated before he or she can be elected? No. Nominations simply serve the practical purpose of informing members of which individuals are interested in running and thus expedite the business of the assembly (430–31). The 11th Edition adds the observation that “Without nominations, voting might have to be repeated many times before a candidate achieved the required majority” (431). Who decides nomination and election procedures? As with voting procedures, unless specified in the bylaws, the body decides the procedures for nominations and elections (431, 438). Most organizations that conduct elections at conventions specify election procedures in their bylaws or convention rules. If not, the chair should not use the assembly’s right as an excuse not to lead. The more complete answer is that the chair, guided by the organization ’s rules and customs, should establish and present, subject to the assembly’s approval, the procedures for nominations and elections. Do nominations require a second? No, but in many organizations it is customary to allow members to second a nomination to indicate endorsement (432). Is it necessary to move to close nominations? No, in fact, it is a waste of time. The chair should give ample time for nominations, ask, “Are there further nominations?” and, there being none, declare that nominations are closed (436). What is the vote required to close nominations? Two-thirds (288, 436). What is the vote required to reopen nominations? Majority (289, 436). 135 Nominations and Elections May members of the nominating committee be nominated? Yes. If not, election to the nominating committee could be used to prevent a member from becoming a nominee (433). If the president has the authority to appoint the members, the problem can be avoided by appointing members to the committee who have expressed no interest in running for office. May the nominating ballot be the electing ballot? No. If the organization’s bylaws require elections to be held by ballot, the vote must be by ballot (437). (See “Voting,” page 132.) If there is only one nominee for an office, may the chair declare the nominee the winner? Not if the bylaws require that the vote be taken by ballot. On this point, it is not at all unusual for organizations to ignore their bylaws, but to do so deprives members of the privilege of voting for write-in candidates (443, 573). Demeter’s Manual is music to the ears of those who ignore the rule: “If the bylaws specify that election shall be by roll call or secret ballot, and a vote on one or more unopposed candidates is taken by unanimous acclamation and thunderous applause instead, such an election is legal if no one objects.”94 (For an explanation of why such a bylaws provision should not be ignored, see “Suspend the Rules,” page 78, and “Voting,” page 132.) What about a tie vote in an election? Unlike the vote on a motion (where a tie vote defeats the motion), a tie vote in an election where only one person is to be elected means that voting must continue. “If any office remains unfilled after the first ballot, as may happen if there are more than two nominees, the balloting is repeated for that office as many times as necessary to obtain a majority vote for a single candidate” (441). If no one is elected, should the nominee receiving the lowest number of votes be removed from the next ballot? No, although it is common practice. “When repeated balloting for an office is necessary, individuals are never removed from candidacy on the next ballot unless they voluntarily withdraw—which they are 136 Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules not obligated to do. The candidate in lowest place may turn out to be a ‘dark horse’ on whom all factions may prefer to agree” (441). The 11th Edition includes a footnote that a special rule of order or a motion to Suspend the Rules could be used to remove the lowest vote-getter from succeeding ballots; but that only a bylaws provision could make a dropped nominee ineligible for election (441). If more candidates receive a majority vote than positions open (as in electing a board), how is the result determined? “If more than the prescribed number receive a majority vote, the places are filled by the proper number receiving the largest number of votes” (441). Is...