Post by jessica on Aug 16, 2006 14:35:07 GMT -5
I: Determine Administrator
For a CC election, the DC administrates. For a DC election, the RC administrates. For an RC election, the NC administrates. For an NC election, the CD administrates.
For a VST election, the DST administrates. For a DST election, the RST administrates. For an RST election, the NST administrates. For an NST election, the MST administrates.
If there is a conflict of interest, the administrator may appoint a neutral party or allow the responsibility to move one level up the chain.
Note that, as with anything else, the administrator may delegate the responsibility and authority to conduct the election.
II: Choose Proctors
The administrator of the election chooses at least two proctors, usually three. The proctors will serve as the vote collectors and counters, and so should be neutral parties without a strong bias. Often, one of the proctors will be the administrator.
Note that the only function of a proctor is to receive and count votes. Think of them more as witnesses than anything else.
III: Call for Applications
The administrator announces via email (as well as at games or other functions if it's a local election) that applications are being accepted. If the office being elected is already vacant, this announcement may appoint an interim replacement, but the interim will need to record each official decision for later ratification.
Chapter elections are announced over the chapter and/or domain lists. Venue and domain elections are announced over the domain list, while regional and national elections are sent via camarilla-announce as well as whatever other lists seem appropriate.
The announcement should also include details on what to include in an application (cover letter, vision statement, cam resume and/or OOC resume), who to send it to (generally each proctor) and the deadline for applications. In the case of regional and national elections, this announcement should include the expected time for voting to begin so that voters can ensure they are on the appropriate election list in time to participate.
IV: Screenin
After the application deadline, the administrator may remove any applications that are inappropriate. Legitimate reasons for removal of an applicant include (but are not limited to) past disciplinary actions or an applicant's inability or unwillingness to meet the minimum standards of office.
If an applicant is removed, the applicant is first contacted and asked if they wish the reasons to remain private. Once they have responded, their removal and the reason (or simply "reason is private" if the applicant wishes) is publicly announced.
V: Review
Given time, the administrator makes the applications available to the voters for discussion. At the same time, the start and stop time for the voting itself should be published. The time period for discussion may be waived by the administrator if there are time constraints.
In the case of a CC election, this is generally done via the chapter mailing list and/or in person. For a VST, DST or DC election, it is done via the domain mailing list and in person (at games, etc). For a regional or national election, the voters are added to a specific mailing list for the purpose of the election based on the email addresses in the most recent organizational reports. If a voter is not contacted to be added to this list, they have the responsibility to follow up with the administrator to ensure they are not missed.
If the eligible voters are themselves elected officers, they may choose to share this information with those who elected them, though personal information such as phone numbers and street addresses should be removed. In addition, it is recommended (though not required) that the administrator (or designated assistant) distribute the names of the candidates to all those within the jurisdiction of the office being elected so that they might provide feedback to those voting.
VI. Voting
Eligible voters submit their votes to each proctor during the voting period. Each vote should rank all candidates from first to last, unless "none of the above" is indicated at some point during the ranking.
VII. Results
The proctors count the votes using the instant-runoff system. An offer letter is sent to the winner, and once the winner has formally accepted the position, the results are announced.
If the winner turns out to be "none of the above," then a new election is held during which none of the same candidates may apply. If a tie results between "none of the above" and a candidate, then a new election is held where any of the same candidates may apply.
For a CC election, the DC administrates. For a DC election, the RC administrates. For an RC election, the NC administrates. For an NC election, the CD administrates.
For a VST election, the DST administrates. For a DST election, the RST administrates. For an RST election, the NST administrates. For an NST election, the MST administrates.
If there is a conflict of interest, the administrator may appoint a neutral party or allow the responsibility to move one level up the chain.
Note that, as with anything else, the administrator may delegate the responsibility and authority to conduct the election.
II: Choose Proctors
The administrator of the election chooses at least two proctors, usually three. The proctors will serve as the vote collectors and counters, and so should be neutral parties without a strong bias. Often, one of the proctors will be the administrator.
Note that the only function of a proctor is to receive and count votes. Think of them more as witnesses than anything else.
III: Call for Applications
The administrator announces via email (as well as at games or other functions if it's a local election) that applications are being accepted. If the office being elected is already vacant, this announcement may appoint an interim replacement, but the interim will need to record each official decision for later ratification.
Chapter elections are announced over the chapter and/or domain lists. Venue and domain elections are announced over the domain list, while regional and national elections are sent via camarilla-announce as well as whatever other lists seem appropriate.
The announcement should also include details on what to include in an application (cover letter, vision statement, cam resume and/or OOC resume), who to send it to (generally each proctor) and the deadline for applications. In the case of regional and national elections, this announcement should include the expected time for voting to begin so that voters can ensure they are on the appropriate election list in time to participate.
IV: Screenin
After the application deadline, the administrator may remove any applications that are inappropriate. Legitimate reasons for removal of an applicant include (but are not limited to) past disciplinary actions or an applicant's inability or unwillingness to meet the minimum standards of office.
If an applicant is removed, the applicant is first contacted and asked if they wish the reasons to remain private. Once they have responded, their removal and the reason (or simply "reason is private" if the applicant wishes) is publicly announced.
V: Review
Given time, the administrator makes the applications available to the voters for discussion. At the same time, the start and stop time for the voting itself should be published. The time period for discussion may be waived by the administrator if there are time constraints.
In the case of a CC election, this is generally done via the chapter mailing list and/or in person. For a VST, DST or DC election, it is done via the domain mailing list and in person (at games, etc). For a regional or national election, the voters are added to a specific mailing list for the purpose of the election based on the email addresses in the most recent organizational reports. If a voter is not contacted to be added to this list, they have the responsibility to follow up with the administrator to ensure they are not missed.
If the eligible voters are themselves elected officers, they may choose to share this information with those who elected them, though personal information such as phone numbers and street addresses should be removed. In addition, it is recommended (though not required) that the administrator (or designated assistant) distribute the names of the candidates to all those within the jurisdiction of the office being elected so that they might provide feedback to those voting.
VI. Voting
Eligible voters submit their votes to each proctor during the voting period. Each vote should rank all candidates from first to last, unless "none of the above" is indicated at some point during the ranking.
VII. Results
The proctors count the votes using the instant-runoff system. An offer letter is sent to the winner, and once the winner has formally accepted the position, the results are announced.
If the winner turns out to be "none of the above," then a new election is held during which none of the same candidates may apply. If a tie results between "none of the above" and a candidate, then a new election is held where any of the same candidates may apply.