Who We Are FAQs WBNG Bylaws & Governance

Posted Dec. 7, 2000

Memo Sent With Balloting Material to All WBNG Election Aides
FROM: Election and Referendum Committee Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild

THE FIRST AND LAST RULE IS THAT ABSOLUTELY NO MATERIAL IS TO BE DESTROYED OR THROWN AWAY. ALL MATERIALS ARE TO BE RETURNED TO THE LOCAL OFFICE AFTER BALLOTING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE BALLOT BOX SEALED AND SIGNED ACROSS THE SEAL.

Enclosed in this packet you will find the following:

1. Ballot Box
2. Pencils
3. Tape
4. Envelopes (#10 white plain, small white plain and large white)
5. Copy of the Official Rules
6. Ballots (total number of ballots will be marked on envelope containing the ballots)
7. Eligibility lists (those eligible to vote)

When the material is received, the ballots are to be counted to assure the total number of ballots indicated are received. If the numbers do not coincide call the Washington office (202) 785-3650 immediately and report any discrepancy.

The ballot box is to be sealed and signed across the seal by the Elections and Referendum Committee representative.

ELECTIONS AIDES ARE TO DIRECT THE VOTERS TO A SPECIAL AREA TO ENSURE THAT BALLOTS ARE MARKED IN SECRECY.

PROCEDURE

BEFOREgiving anyone a ballot be sure that individual locates his/her name on the eligibility list and signs beside his/her name on that list. After this is done give the voter a ballot and direct him/her to the special area for casting votes.

When the ballot is marked, it is to be folded (face in) and placed in the slot in the ballot box. The voter should then be directed to leave the voting area.

NO BALLOTS ARE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE VOTING AREA AND THE BALLOT BOX MUST BE ATTENDED AT ALL TIMES. THE BALLOT BOX IS TO BE KEPT AT THE POLLING AREA ATTENDED BY THE ELECTION AIDE(S) AT ALL TIMES.

After the completion of the voting, the slot on the ballot box is to be sealed and signed across the seal by the Election Representative. The LE&R committee member shall keep the ballot box in his/her personal custody and return it to the Local Office in Washington.

ELIGIBILITY LISTS

The eligibility lists are in alphabetical order (not strict). If the voter cannot locate his/her name on the list, then the LE&R Committee member or designee should check the list to try to locate the name. If the name is not found in alphabetical listing the last sheet should be checked in case names has been added. Also, person(s) who have recently married should check for both the maiden and married name. If neither the voter nor the LE&R Committee member or designee can locate the name on the eligibility lists then the voter should vote as a challenge.

A voter who has spoiled a ballot shall, on his/her request, be given one additional ballot (AFTER THE SPOILED BALLOT HAS BEEN RETURNED) and the spoiled ballot so marked, placed in a spoiled ballot envelope, and returned to the Local Elections and Referendum Committee.

CHALLENGES

Challenges will occur when an individual requesting to vote cannot locate his/her name on the eligibility list. If the name(s) cannot be found then the individual requesting to vote shall be considered a challenge and the rules applying to challenges shall then be followed. A challenged voter shall vote as provided in the rules (rule #15), except that he/she is to fold the ballot, place the ballot in an UNMARKED SMALL ENVELOPEseal that envelope and then place that envelope in a #10 (white) envelope and SIGN HIS/HER NAME ON THE #10 (WHITE) ENVELOPE, seal that envelope and hand it over to the person overseeing the ballot box. The election aide (person overseeing the ballot box) is then to sign his/her name, noting behind his/her name "Election Representative" and date the envelope.

The challenged ballot envelope shall be otherwise unmarked and all such envelopes shall be uniform. The challenged ballot envelopes should be put in the large white envelope provided marked challenged.

NO CHALLENGE BALLOTS ARE TO BE PLACED IN THE BALLOT BOX-THIS WILL THROW THE ENTIRE ELECTION OUT.

MAIL BALLOTS DESIGNATED

If a person name is marked by this office "Ballot Mailed" then that person CANNOT SIGN AND VOTE IN-SHOP. If an individual does sign and vote in-shop when the list is clearly marked "Ballot Mailed" that too will throw the entire election out. THIS PORTION OF THE RULES MUST BE EMPHASIZED.

NO BALLOTS ARE TO BE COUNTED IN THE INDIVIDUAL UNITS. THIS WILL BE DONE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCAL ELECTION AND REFERENDUM COMMITTEE ON (DESIGNATED DAY) AT THE WASHINGTON GUILD OFFICE AT (DESIGNATED TIME).

Contracts | Staff & Unit Leaders | Calendar | Join | Member Benefits | Newsroom | About Us | Related Links | Home