Nominations and Elections

• Nomination


  The formal act of proposing to the assembly the name of a candidate for an office to be filled
• Nomination is normally a condition precedent to the election of a person to office or the selection of a member for some other purpose, like serving on a committee
• Nomination


  • It enables to indicate one's willingness to accept the office if elected, or to decline
  • It enables the candidates to acquaint the voters with their respective platforms and individual qualifications for the office
  • It insures orderliness in the elections
• If any member would be allowed to vote for any person, even if not nominated, it cannot be seen how the objectives of nomination can be achieved
• Methods of nomination


  • Nomination from the floor
  • Nomination by a nominating committee
  • Nomination by ballot
• Nomination from the floor

  1. Member proposes name of candidate

  2. Chair acknowledges nomination

  3. Secretary records nomination

  4. Names of candidates written on blackboard
• A nomination need not be seconded although a second is permissible
• In large assemblies, it is customary to preface the nomination with a speech to acquaint the other members with the qualifications of the nominee
• There is no known parliamentary rule which prohibits one from nominating himself
• Nomination by a nominating committee

  1. Committee appointed by Chair or elected by assembly

  2. Committee chooses and presents names of nominees to assembly

  3. Report of committee is not adopted but list of nominees is read

  4. Additional nominations may be made from the floor
• Election or appointment to a nominating committee cannot mean one's disbarment as a candidate for an office
• Nomination by ballot


  1. Each member writes name of person they desire to nominate for each office

  2. If a person's name appears on a majority or plurality of ballots, they are declared elected

  3. If no winner, second ballot is taken, then third ballot with top candidates
• Run-off


  Motion to limit contest to first three or two candidates obtaining highest votes in second ballot
• Closing and reopening nominations

  1. Nominations may be closed on initiative of Chair or by motion

  2. Nominations may be reopened by majority vote
• Right to decline nomination


  Every member has the right to seek office or excuse themselves from accepting an office
• Nominations serve to manifest to the assembly that those nominated, by their expressed or implied acceptance, are ready and willing to serve if elected
• Except where the method of voting is dictated by the constitution or by-laws, the assembly may adopt any of the voting methods prescribed by parliamentary law
• If the election is by ballot, it is best to complete the nominations for all positions so that only one ballot will be used in voting for all offices
• Vote necessary to win

  • A candidate is elected or a proposition is carried by a majority of the legal votes cast
  • A plurality vote neither elects nor adopts a proposition unless expressly permitted
• Effectivity of election


  1. If successful candidate is present and does not decline, or if absent but has consented, election is effective immediately

  2. If member declines election when present, vacancy is immediately filled

  3. If member declines election when absent, vacancy may be filled immediately or at time provided in by-laws