Election Rules Amended at Delegate Assembly, Oct. 28, 2023

Article I
Definitions
  1. Candidate means a member seeking an elective position.
  2. Days refers to calendar days, unless stated otherwise.
  3. Election Cycle means the frequency at which an election is held for a particular position.
  4. Elective Position means a position usually filled by an election. This includes officers, trustees, delegates and alternates to the Delegate Assembly, and members of the Statewide Negotiations Committee.
  5. Eligible Voters means members as of the date specified on the MAPE Election Timetable.
  6. Election means an electronic election in which voters receive instructions and access to a ballot electronically, typically via an email containing a link to a secure website for voting.
  7. Incumbent means a member currently holding an elective or appointive position, regardless of the term’s anticipated ending date.
  8. Office means an elective position held by an officer.
  9. Mail means U.S. mail or other secure means approved by the Board of Directors.
  10. Reasonable Notice means notifying all affected members, at their home or work addresses, such that the notice is timed to arrive prior to the opening of nominations for an election. This shall be done by electronic methods, and may be supplemented by hand, or by posting notices on bulletin boards at all affected work locations. It must include arrangements to notify members routinely assigned away from their work address for prolonged periods. The notice shall include:
  • the open positions,
  • a description of the duties of each position,
  • the date nominations open and close,
  • the date(s) of the election,
  • the method of balloting, which will be electronic,
  • when, where, and how ballots will be tabulated.
  1. Election(s) Committee Report means the report announcing election results.
  2. Special Election means an election other than a regularly scheduled election.
  3. Vacancy. A vacancy exists when:
  • there is no incumbent in the elective position;
  • the incumbent has delivered a letter of resignation, in writing or electronically, to the Elections Committee; or
  • the incumbent is no longer eligible to hold the elective position.

 

Article II
Nomination and Elections Committees

 

  1. The statewide Nominations Committee and the Elections Committee will be appointed per the Bylaws.
  2. The election committee for Local Charter Elections shall consist of a representative from each impacted Local (the existing Local(s) and the local seeking a charter) and a statewide officer to be selected by the MAPE president.
  3. Statewide, Regional, and Local Elections must be completed by June 1st, through the 2022 election cycle. Starting in 2023, elections must be completed by December 15th.
  4. In Even Years, the President, Treasurer, Meet and Confer Chairs, Organizing Council Members, Political Council Members, odd-numbered Region local officers and Regional Steward Directors, and even-numbered regional directors will be elected.
  5. In odd years, the Vice President, Secretary, Organizing Council Members, Political Council Members, Meet and Confer Chairs, even-numbered region local officers and  Regional Steward Directors, and odd-numbered regional directors will be elected.
  6. Delegate Assembly Delegates and Alternates, the elections committee shall call for a special election each year to elect Delegate Assembly Delegates and Alternates. 
  7. Negotiations Representatives, the Elections Committee shall call for a special election to elect negotiations representatives each negotiations cycle. 
  8. Setting Dates. The Board of Directors shall fix all dates concerning regularly scheduled elections in accordance with the MAPE Election Timetable. The Board will use the MAPE Election Timetable (Appendix A) and only add the actual dates.

The Elections Committee shall set dates concerning statewide, regional, and local special elections.

If a deadline falls on a day the MAPE office is closed, that deadline will be moved to the next day the office is open, and subsequent dates will be set based on the moved deadline.

Article III
Nominations
  1. Nominees. The Nominations Committee and local member leaders shall seek out and  encourage qualified persons to run for elective positions.
  2. Conditions of Candidacy. Members must meet the eligibility requirements defined in MAPE Bylaws (ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES, Eligibility).
  3. Nomination Procedure.
  • Nominations for local positions, including self-nominations, can be submitted by any member of that local to the Elections Committee in writing.
  • Nominations for regional positions, including self-nominations, can be submitted by any member of that region to the Elections Committee in writing.
  • Nominations for statewide positions, including self-nominations, can be submitted by any union member to the Elections Committee in writing.
  1. Withdrawal of Nomination. A person nominated may withdraw their name from nomination at any time before or after nominations are closed.
  2. Closing of Nominations. Nominations close according to the MAPE Election Timetable (Appendix A).
  3. Candidate Compliance. In addition to other requirements of the governing documents, all nominees for an elective position, shall accept the nomination via electronic form, containing all election rules, guidelines, and policies thereby affirm their intent to comply with the requirements of MAPE's governing documents and procedures.
  4. Candidate Eligibility Report, Publication. The Elections Committee shall declare the candidates to appear on the ballot upon completion of the Candidate Eligibility Report. The report shall include the names of all eligible nominees and the position sought. If an eligible nominee’s name is missing from the report or the report contains inaccurate information or some other error, the nominee must protest no later than 3 days after the report is published or their nomination is withdrawn, and their name shall not appear on the ballot. A revised Candidate Eligibility Report may be completed if a valid protest is filed by the stated deadline. If the revised Candidate Eligibility Report contains inaccurate information or some other error and the nominee wishes to correct this error, the nominee must protest the Revised Candidate Eligibility Report no later than 3 days after the report is published.
  5. Uncontested Elections. The Candidate Eligibility Report shall also include the names and positions sought of persons nominated in uncontested elections.
  6. Personal Statements. Candidates whose names will be on the ballot must prepare and submit a personal statement to be included with the ballots. Each candidate must submit their personal statement 14 days after the nominations close, otherwise the candidate is disqualified, and their name will not be on the ballot. For candidates who will appear on the ballot, each candidate’s personal statement shall be published on the MAPE website.
Article IV
Campaign Support
  1. General Resources. Candidates shall not accept support of money, facilities, paid labor, or other goods or services for the benefit of their campaign from any profit or non-profit corporation, unit of government, political action committee, or collective bargaining representative or an affiliate thereof.
  2. MAPE Resources. Except as provided in these rules; the funds, staff, materials, equipment, and facilities of MAPE shall not be used with the purpose or clear effect of benefiting or harming any candidate's campaign. Candidates shall not solicit campaign contributions at MAPE's offices or during the official business portions of MAPE sponsored events. MAPE’s offices may be used for candidate forums. MAPE shall provide technology to facilitate video conferencing at campaign forums for statewide races. Upon request, locals shall be allowed to use MAPE offices and/or technology to hold local candidate forums for statewide races.
  3. Campaign Forums. Locals may arrange forums to allow candidates to express their views. Any such forums shall be made available on an equal basis to all candidates. Locals shall  not schedule forums for statewide elections at the same time another local is holding their forum. The  statewide elections committee will provide an online location for locals to reserve their forum time. Locals shall reserve forum times in the same order locals notify the statewide elections committee of their intent to hold a forum. The statewide elections committee shall hold a candidate forum for each contested statewide election, prior to the voting window opening. These statewide campaign forums sponsored by the statewide elections committee shall be held in a manner that allows members to interact with the candidates from remote locations. The MAPE portal shall be used to show the schedule of all campaign forums.
  4. Distribution List Security. MAPE shall maintain control of election lists. No access to MAPE election lists for campaign purposes shall be permitted except for the following: a list of members’ personal email addresses comprised of members who have opted-in to receive campaign materials from candidates. A list of statewide candidates and their personal contact information shall be provided to all seated local officers for the purpose of facilitating local campaign forums. The MAPE portal may be used to publish these lists.
Article V
Campaign Conduct
  1. General Conduct. All candidates shall conduct their campaigns in a manner that promotes the welfare of MAPE and does not subject MAPE to liability.
  2. False Claims. Candidates shall not knowingly make false or clearly misleading claims.
  3. Undue Influence. Candidates shall not use coercion, bribery, or a promise of future consideration in an attempt to influence an election.
  4. E-Mail Use. State e-mail or equipment (including printers and fax machines) may not be used for MAPE campaign purposes. Campaign e-mail messages shall not be sent or forwarded from state or non-state systems to state systems.
  5. Campaign Literature. All campaign literature shall bear the name of the author(s), the funding source, and the candidate(s) and/or issue(s) it supports. Candidates are solely responsible for the content of their campaign material.
  6. Social Media in Campaigns Policy. Candidates must comply with the Social Media in Campaigns Policy.
  7. Personal Statements. Personal statements may not contain photographs, graphics, or artwork. Personal statements shall include the candidate’s name and information about the candidate and the candidate’s ideas relating to the office sought and may not contain references to other candidates. Personal statements may include the candidate’s department, work city, years of state service and years as a MAPE member. Personal statements shall be no longer than 300 words.

Candidates who submit a personal statement which exceeds the word limit will be given an opportunity to shorten their statement. If a revised statement is not submitted or the revised statement exceeds the word limit, the personal statement will be truncated. The truncated personal statement will be published on the MAPE website and included with the ballot.

  1. Financial Report Required. Candidates for a statewide office shall file a financial report with the Elections Committee no later than 10 days following the tabulation of ballots. A winning candidate in a statewide, contested election will not be seated until the financial report has been filed and accepted by the Elections Committee. The report shall be in the format prescribed by the Elections Committee and shall include a list of contributions and expenses. For all contributions over $100, the contribution list shall show the name of contributors and the amount of the contribution. For contributions under $100, only the total amount of contributions is required. The report shall contain a list of expenses, including the vendor and amount of each expense. The amount of contributions reported must equal the amount of expenses reported. The candidate shall sign and date the report, attesting that Campaign Support requirements in Election Rules Article IV section 1 were followed. A copy of the form will be provided to any MAPE member upon request, provided the request is made within 30 days after ballots are tabulated.
  2. Candidates communicating with MAPE members while carrying out their duties either as a state employee or as a MAPE officer shall not be considered campaigning and shall not be prohibited.
Article VI
Election Procedure
  1. Write In Candidates. Write-In candidates are prohibited.
  2. Individual Position. To be elected to an individual position requires a majority vote.
  3. Preferential Balloting. When a majority vote is required and more than two candidates are seeking one office, preferential balloting will be used. Voters will be instructed to indicate the order in which they prefer all the candidates for that office by placing or indicating the numeral 1 beside their first preference, the numeral 2 beside their second preference, and so on for every possible choice.

When counting the votes for that office, all ballots will be electronically sorted according to the first preference, and then the ballots are counted. If one candidate has a majority (over 50%), that candidate is the winner. If no candidate has a majority, the ballots for the candidate with the fewest first place votes will be redistributed according to the names marked as second choice on those ballots, and all ballots are recounted. If no candidate has a majority, the process will be repeated using third and subsequent choices until one candidate has a majority of the remaining ballots counted.

When ballots are being redistributed, a ballot with no remaining choices is exhausted and not counted. The results of all counts will be reported.

  1. Ties. In case of a tie, the Elections Committee shall prepare and draw lots immediately after tabulation of the ballots.
  2. Multiple Identical Position (i.e., Delegate, Trustee). All candidates for multiple identical positions shall be voted on simultaneously. To be elected to a multiple identical position requires a plurality vote. For such positions, a plurality means more votes than other candidates for the position, up to the number of positions open. For example, if there are three positions, the three candidates receiving the most votes are elected.
  3. Seating. Newly elected persons shall be seated immediately after the Election(s) Committee Report is  released, unless another date is provided in the governing documents.
Article VII
Election Mechanics
  1. Eligible Voters. The Vice President shall submit an accurate list of eligible voters to the Elections Committee.
  2. Balloting Method.
  • Statewide and Regional elections (regularly scheduled and special) shall be electronic elections.
  • Regularly scheduled local elections and local special elections shall be electronic elections.
  1. Secret Ballot. All voting shall be by secret ballot.
  2. Ballot Security. The Elections Committee and their designees (which may include a third-party vendor) shall adopt, oversee, and maintain reasonable safeguards to protect ballot integrity and confidentiality.
  3. Ballot Format.
  • The order of names shall be varied such that, when considering all of the ballots, every name appears in each position of the list approximately the same number of times.
  • Incumbents and agencies shall not be designated on the ballot.
  • When preferential balloting is not used, instructions on the ballot will state that voters will “vote for no more than” the number of positions to be filled.
  1. Tabulation of Ballots. The Elections Committee shall oversee the tabulation of ballots prepared by a third-party vendor.
  2. Ineligible Apparent Winner. If an apparent winner is ineligible, as defined in Bylaws Article VIII, at the time vote counting is completed, the Elections Committee will declare the election for that position void, nominations for that position will be reopened, and a special election will be held. This procedure will be followed even if the apparent winner has been seated but is found to have been ineligible when the votes were counted.

In a multiple identical position race, if an apparent winner is ineligible at the time vote counting is completed, the election of that candidate will be declared void. Other apparent winners are elected and will be seated in accordance with the governing documents.

  1. Election(s) Committee Report. This report will include:
  • the percentage and actual number of final votes;
  • the winner(s) of each race;
  • the number of spoiled ballots; and
  • for preferential balloting, each iteration’s results.

This report will be posted on the MAPE website. This report is released by being sent to the members of the Board of Directors and MAPE Central (for posting and further notifications).

  1. Other Procedures. The Elections Committee may adopt other election procedures as described in the parliamentary authority or as are reasonable and necessary.
Article VIII
Electronic Elections
  1. Reasonable Notice. Reasonable notice shall be given that an election will be held.
  2. Electronic Ballots. The e-mail must include instructions on how to access the secure balloting website. The website shall include an electronic ballot and candidates’ personal statements.
  3. Uncontested Election. If only one eligible person is nominated for a position, no balloting is conducted for the position and the person is seated in accordance with the MAPE Election Rules.
Article IX
Special Elections
  1. Purpose. A special election is held to fill an existing vacancy or when prescribed by the governing documents.
  2. Reasonable Notice. Reasonable notice shall be given that an election will be held.
  3. Uncontested Election. If only one person is nominated for a position, the person is seated  immediately after:
  • Nominations are closed, and
  • Candidate eligibility is determined.
Article X
Violations, Protests, and Appeals
  1. Submitting Protests. Protests concerning campaign support, campaign conduct, or election conduct may be submitted only by members who are eligible to vote in the race being protested. Protests must be in writing, indicate the nature of the violation, and provide supporting information. Protests shall be submitted to the Elections Committee no later than five days after announcement of the results.
  2. Hearing of Violations and Protests. Any alleged violation of MAPE Election Rules or other action which may compromise the integrity and validity of an election shall be investigated by the Elections Committee. The committee shall allow affected parties a reasonable opportunity to be heard. The findings of the Committee shall be provided, in writing, to all affected parties. Protests found to be unsubstantiated by the Committee may be appealed to the Board of Directors.
  3. Penalties and Remedies. Penalties or remedies for violations of MAPE's Election Rules shall be appropriate and proportional to the nature of the violation and its materiality to the election's outcome. Penalties and remedies include, but are not limited to: retractions of false claims, reimbursement of misused MAPE resources, censure, fines, candidate disqualification, or invalidation of all or part of an election.
  4. Filing a Judicial Complaint. Following the investigation, the Election Committee shall, by majority vote, determine whether the alleged violation was substantiated. Upon determination an alleged violation was substantiated, the Elections Committee shall file a complaint pursuant to the Judicial Procedure, Article XVIII of the Bylaws. The Elections Committee shall be the complainant of all Elections Rules violations.
  5. Enforcement report. The statewide elections committee shall submit an enforcement report to the board of directors at the first board meeting after the election. The enforcement report shall contain a complete list of all complaints submitted to the statewide elections committee and any actions taken by the statewide elections committee in response to those complaints

Article XI
Changes to the Election Rules

  1. Changes. Changes to the Election Rules shall be approved by the Delegate Assembly by a majority vote.

MAPE ELECTION TIMETABLE

Appendix A

Last Possible Date

 

Action Items

No Later Than

 

 

Announce Opening of Nominations

30 days before nominations close

 

 

Membership deadline to be eligible as candidate

30 days before nominations close

 

 

Nominations Close

60 days before the voting window opens

 

 

Candidates accept nomination and affirm their intent to follow MAPE's rules or decline nomination

7 days after nominations close

 

 

Candidate Eligibility Report

Report to be published on the MAPE website

14 days after nominations close

 

 

Deadline to Protest Candidate Eligibility Report

3 days after Candidate Eligibility Report is published

 

 

Revised (if necessary) Candidate Eligibility Report

Report to be published on the MAPE website

3 days after Deadline to Protest Candidate Eligibility Report

 

 

Deadline to Protest Revised Candidate Eligibility Report

3 days after Revised Candidate Eligibility Report is published

 

 

Membership deadline to be eligible to vote

14 days before the voting window opens

 

 

Personal Statements Due

Statements to be published on the MAPE website

14 days after nominations close.

 

 

Statewide Elections Committee Candidate Forum(s)

Between the date Personal Statements are due and the voting window opening

 

 

Voting Opens

10 days before closing the voting window

 

 

 

Voting Closes

No later than May 27 through the 2022 election cycle and no later than December 15 starting with the 2023 election cycle.

 

 

Ballots Tabulated

5 days after voting window closes

 

 

Elections Committees Reports

5 days after ballots tabulated

 

 

Results posted on the website

As soon as practical after Elections Committees Reports

 

 

Protests

5 days after the results are posted on the website

 

 

Seating

Statewide Officers: First Executive Committee meeting after Elections Committee Report.

 

Trustees: Immediately after the Elections Committee Report.

Council Members: Immediately after the Elections Committee Report.

Regional Directors: Immediately after the Elections Committee Report.

Negotiations Representatives: In accordance with Bylaws Article VI.

Local Officers: Immediately after the Elections Committees Reports.

 

 

Enforcement report

First Board of Directors meeting after Elections Committee Report.

 

 

Financial Report

10 days after ballots tabulated