Leadership

NEOEA Campaign and Election Rules

1. Candidates’ speeches at the Representative Assembly will be limited to three (3) minutes each. Order of speeches to be determined by the Elections Committee.
2. Delegate names and addresses will be available to candidates at the NEOEA office. Copies will be sent upon request according to established procedures of the NEOEA office.

3. Gifts of material value are prohibited. Badges, buttons and ribbons may be distributed. Information relative to the candidate, the candidate’s platform, or statements on issues before the Assembly shall be printed on single sheets of paper no larger than 8½" by 11", and shall contain the name of the source and sponsor. Pictures and slogans may be included in such information.

4. Distribution of campaign materials is prohibited in the assembly hall and in the polling areas, except for OEA/NEOEA Executive Committee candidates to be elected within specific units at the NEOEA Representative Assembly, who may distribute materials in the polling area.

5. The Elections committee will require removal of campaign material before entering the polling area.

6. Campaign material (posters, banners, computer printouts, e-mail, endorsements, etc.) shall contain the name of the source/sponsor, including caucuses and other special interest groups. Use of the NEOEA, OEA, NEA or UEP logo on materials used to promote the candidacy of any individual or individuals is PROHIBITED. Display all campaign materials under “Meet the Candidates” sign. Posted materials will be limited to five (5) posters no larger than 14" x 22". One of these may be placed in the designated area, which will be determined approximately one (1) hour prior to the beginning of the assembly and all campaign materials should be held until that time. (The cafeteria will probably be the designated area for campaign posters if it is possible.) No posters may be placed in or adjacent to the polling area.

7. Audio-visual presentations are prohibited except during the three-minute speech.

8. Campaign materials must be removed by the candidate before the close of the assembly.

9. At the fall meeting, the polls will be open for twenty (20) minutes. At the spring meeting, the polls will be open one-half (½) hour. At both meetings, polls will close promptly at the designated time.

10. Voting passes shall clearly reflect unit of representation. Units will all have the same color pass at each election but the color will be changed at each assembly. Unit elections will be on separate ballots.

11. Candidates may appoint observers. The Elections Committee must be notified of such appointments (by name) in writing prior to the day of the election. Candidates must notify the NEOEA Executive Director, who will transmit their written notices to the Elections Committee. Exception: Candidates nominated from the floor may appoint an observer. Same courtesy is extended to the candidate previously running unopposed. Observers will remain in the elections headquarters until election results are officially announced.

12. Delegates must present the official voting pass in order to receive ballots. Under no conditions will any delegate be permitted to vote without an official voting pass. Delegates must retain the voting stub for possible runoff elections. Proxy voting will not be permitted.

13. With the approval of the President, the committee may enlist temporary election aides. Ballots will be counted at the direction of the Elections Committee. Results will be posted outside the meeting hall after the official announcement is made. A list of the winners will be given to News and Views. Candidates who cannot remain until the end of the assembly shall provide the Elections Committee with a stamped, self-addressed envelope so results can be mailed at the end of the assembly.

14. In the event no candidate receives a majority of votes on the first ballot, a runoff election will be held as soon as possible between the two (2) candidates receiving the greater number of votes.

15. Any election problem(s) unable to be resolved in accordance with NEOEA policy will be referred to the OEA Secretary-Treasurer for resolution.