SECTION IX

UNION VOTING PROCEDURES

A. Union Voting Procedures--Ballot Certification Committee

1. Voting procedures shall be made policy and be part of the Policy Manual, and upon the recommendation of the Ballot Certification Committee ("Committee") and approval of the Board of Directors by mail or electronic ballot, such policy may be revised. All remaining procedures and practices necessary to the proper conduct of balloting shall be deemed ordinary administrative functions, subject to the discretion of the Committee.

2. The Committee shall administer the election and voting procedures in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws and applicable provisions of the Policy Manual. The Committee shall make recommendations to the International President on any proposed changes in the Constitution and Bylaws pertaining to the election and voting procedures.

3. Two-thirds (2/3) of the membership of the Committee shall constitute a quorum at any convened meeting. The determination of all matters at any such meeting shall be by majority vote of those members present or represented by valid proxy. The Committee will function in accordance with the "Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure." Such clerical assistance as may be requested shall be furnished.

B. Membership Balloting

1. All strike and general membership voting shall be conducted by SECRET BALLOT. Union voting procedures shall utilize only the standard ballot forms and standard transmittal envelopes or standard electronic ballot as established by the Ballot Certification Committee.

2. A member shall be eligible to vote if that person's good standing status, as of the count date of the ballot, has been verified by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.

3. The Committee shall resolve tie votes in the manner specified by the Constitution and Bylaws for the particular ballot involved.

4. All mail ballots shall be out not less than twenty-eight (28) calendar days from the date the ballots are mailed until the count date except as otherwise specified. All electronic ballots shall be out not less than twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date the ballot is started until the close of the polling period except as otherwise specified.

5. Ballot Retention-The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall retain voting records in a locked file for a minimum of one (1) year, or for the duration of the term of office, whichever is longer. These records shall include ballots, unopened and voided ballots, tally sheets, certification statements, transmittal envelopes and other pertinent papers for mail ballots, and all pertinent documents and reports for electronic ballots, and shall be available for inspection by members in good standing at any meeting of the Committee.

C. Majority Required

Except where provided otherwise by the Constitution and Bylaws and applicable provisions of the Policy Manual, a majority of valid ballots returned, with no specific minimum required, shall determine the issue.

D. Recount of Ballots

1. The Committee shall conduct a ballot recount upon request of a candidate in a Local Council nomination or election ballot and upon request of a participating member in a contract ratification ballot, provided that not more than one (1) recount shall be required except on a showing of good cause.

2. All requests for ballot recount must be submitted to the International Office no later than sixty (60) days from the date ballot results are certified, with the recount taking place no later than ninety (90) days from the request.

E. Reballoting

1. The Committee shall cause a ballot to be reconducted when:

a. For due cause, a ballot fails certification by the Committee;

b. After full investigation and for due cause, a ballot is voided by the Committee even though it may have been previously certified.

F. Mail Balloting Procedures

The procedures outlined in this Section are applicable to the following ballots of the Union: nominations, elections, Executive Board, Board of Directors, strike, contract ratification, assessment, and special, except that the requirement of a postmark date is not applicable to strike ballots or any form of electronic ballot. See Section G. through J. for additional procedures for specific classifications. 　

1. Construction of Ballot--The standard ballot form shall contain the following information:

a. Identification of ballot.

b. Instructions for marking and return.

c. Clear, concise statement of the question.

d. Postmark date--A deadline date for a valid ballot shall be established by a postmark seven (7) to fourteen (14) days prior to the count date for Local Councils within the United States and fourteen (14) to twenty (20) days prior to the count date for all International Local Councils, with such number to be determined by the Master Executive Council President, and shall be referred to as the Postmark date. As set forth, however, in Sections G.1.a.(3) and H.1.e. of this Section, for Local Council nominations and elections, the International Secretary-Treasurer shall instead establish a deadline date for the return of ballots to the International Office.

2. Cover letter--A cover letter shall accompany each standard ballot and shall include the following information:

a. Description of reason for ballot.

b. Clear, concise statement of the question.

c. Short resume of voting procedures.

d. Statement of majority required which will be Plurality for Local Council Elections.

e. Postmark date which is the deadline date for return of ballots in Local Council nominations and elections.

f. Count date.

3. Ballot Printing--The Committee will cause to be printed a specified number of ballots to provide:

a. One ballot for each active member.

b. Ballots for members attaining eligibility status subsequent to the initial mailing date.

c. Replacement for lost or mismarked ballots in an amount sufficient to provide at least a number of equal to five percent (5%) of the active members of each domicile. For any voting procedure, a number of duplicate ballots equal to five percent (5%) of the active members of each domicile will be mailed to the Local Council President.

4. Retention of Ballots--Those ballots provided for in 3.b. above shall be retained by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union and made available to any such member attaining eligibility status subsequent to the initial mailing date upon request. Those ballots provided for in 3.c. above shall have the word "DUPLICATE" prominently displayed on the standard transmittal envelope.

5. Ballot Tally Sheet--The print shop shall prepare a tally sheet after printing ballots, showing the number printed, the number mailed, the number destroyed and the number provided to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.

6. Ballot Mailing--Ballots and cover letters will be mailed to all active members who are listed on the latest membership roster. The ballot transmittal envelopes for any ballots going to members who are in bad standing as of the date the ballots are mailed shall have: "VERIFY STANDING ON COUNT DATE" prominently displayed. Such mailing shall be made using the member's last known home address as shown on the roster. The ballots and cover letter will be mailed with the envelopes marked appropriately to identify them as containing a ballot.

7. Ballot Requests--All oral requests from members for duplicate ballots will be recorded by memorandum. Each active member is entitled to receive a ballot and is also entitled to receive a duplicate ballot upon request. However, no member shall be sent a ballot except for that member's own personal use. Any member not receiving a ballot may request one from that person's Council President or the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. The Local Council President shall distribute a duplicate ballot to those flight attendants whose name appears on the ballot roster, and if the name does not appear on the ballot roster, the Local Council President will contact the Office to check the eligibility of said flight attendant. If the flight attendant is in bad standing, the Local Council President will write, "VERIFY STANDING ON COUNT DATE" on the transmittal envelope. Requests for ballots or duplicate ballots distributed by the Local Council President will be recorded by memorandum. All unused ballots and memorandum of ballots requested will be sent to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.

8. New Local Council Members--New Local Council members will be provided ballots upon request to their Local Council President or the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.

9. Return of Ballots--The return of ballots, except for nominating ballots breaking a tie, shall be accomplished through utilization of the following procedures:

a. Post Office Box--All ballots in their transmittal envelopes shall be returned to a U.S. Postal Service Box designated by the Committee.

b. Transport of Ballots--The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union and the Committee have designated the Election and Ballot Clerk as the staff personnel to transport the ballot transmittal envelopes from the Postal Service to the Ballot Security file in the Office. No other designations are authorized.

c. Ballots Security--Ballot transmittal envelopes transported to the Office will be promptly sorted by the Election and Ballot Clerk, under the supervision of the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union, into the various ballot subjects. Ballot transmittal envelopes will thereafter be maintained separately from other records and documents under lock and key in the Ballot Security file in the custody of the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. A log shall be kept showing when and by whom the ballot transmittal envelopes are handled prior to the count.

10. Office Security--Ballot security will include completion of a tally sheet showing the number of ballots printed, number mailed to membership, number of extras or duplicates mailed to membership and number of blank ballots retained in the Office.

11. Record Reviews--All certifications of results will be reviewed by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union to assure that correct procedures have been followed. The membership status of each nominee will be checked and confirmed using the latest membership roster.

12. Ballot Preparation and Counting:

a. Preparation--Prior to the scheduled date of a Committee meeting, the Ballot Clerk under the supervision of the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union will perform the following functions:

(1) Ballot Sorting--All ballot transmittal envelopes will be sorted by:

(a) Airline

(b) Council

(c) Standing--Using the data processing roster specifically designated for this meeting as a ballot count date roster:

1 Good Standing

2 Questionable (for one or more of the following reasons)

a Bad standing

b No signature on transmittal envelope

c Transmittal envelope opened or tampered with

d. Ineligible to vote (other than bad standing)

e Notations on transmittal envelope for Committee's attention

f Ballot not enclosed in brown ballot envelope

(2) Observer Notices--The meeting date of each Committee meeting for the purposes of counting ballots will be published whenever possible in AFA-CWA publications so that candidates will be notified of the date for the ballot count in order that they may be present as observers. Any member in good standing may be present as an observer during the validating and tallying of ballots. Any member electing to be present as an observer is encouraged to remain in attendance until all ballots have been counted and certified.

Any member or candidate who witnesses the counting or certification of ballots shall sign a statement agreeing not to disclose the results of such ballots until they have been counted and certified.

(3) Staff Restriction--Only AFA-CWA staff may assist the Committee during the count.

b. Ballot Counting

(1) Ballot Count Date--Ballots distributed by the International Office requiring certification by the Committee shall have the count date scheduled by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. The ballots will be validated, tallied and certified on the count date or as soon as the Committee can complete the tally and certification.

(2) Count Quorum--Two (2) members of the Committee or their duly authorized proxies must be present to validate and tally all ballots requiring certification.

(3) Ballot Secrecy--The secrecy of such ballots shall be maintained by utilization of the following procedures:

(a) The ballot shall be placed by the member in an inner envelope marked "BALLOT."

(b) The inner ballot envelope shall then be placed by the member in a standard transmittal envelope and returned to the Office where it will be the responsibility of the Committee to ensure the security of the ballots and the secrecy of the individual member's vote.

(c) The transmittal envelope must bear the identification of the voter as supplied by AFA-CWA for all mailed ballots. Any transmittal envelope not carrying the voter identification will be voided. All duplicate ballots without enclosed voter identification must bear the legible name and council number of the voter and that person's handwritten signature in order for the vote to be validated against the voter eligibility list. All signatures on transmittal envelopes bearing the word "DUPLICATE' shall require verification. All transmittal envelopes marked "VERIFY STANDING ON COUNT DATE" shall be checked against the ballot count date roster.

(d) If a member returns more than one ballot, only the ballot bearing the latest postmark will be opened and counted.

(e) After validation is completed, the transmittal envelopes will be opened and the ballot envelopes removed. Prior to opening the ballot envelopes, the transmittal envelopes must be physically separated therefrom.

(f) The inner ballot envelope will then be opened and the vote tallied.

(g) The tally sheet shall be filled out and certified by a member of the Committee.

(4) Ballots will be voided by the committee for the following reasons:

(a) Transmittal envelope not identifiable

(b) No signature on transmittal envelope

(c) Transmittal envelope opened or tampered with

(d) Ineligible to vote (bad standing)

(e) Ineligible to vote (other than bad standing)

(f) Received after the count completed

(g) Improperly marked ballot

(h) Ballots signed or identifiable

(i) Any remarks or notations written on the ballot by the voter

(j) Notations on the ballot envelope or ballot for Committee's attention

(k) Ballot not enclosed in a brown ballot envelope

(1) Ballot postmarked after Postmark date

(5) Ballot Voiding--Voided ballots and unopened voided transmittal envelopes will have recorded thereon why they were voided and shall be initialed by the Committee present. The Committee shall be the sole arbiter in ruling a ballot valid or void. Commitment to Serve cards included with these voided ballots in unopened transmittal envelopes will be considered void unless the notation of commitment to serve on the envelope is so indicated.

(6) Ballots will be marked only in accordance with instructions contained thereon. The Committee will rule on acceptability of marking, but in no case will a secret ballot be validated if the voting member has signed it or otherwise rendered it identifiable. This provision shall not be construed to limit the right of a member to vote a write-in candidate in any election where permitted by the Constitution and Bylaws.

c. Result Certification

When the tally is completed, the Committee shall place the ballots, tally sheets and other necessary pertinent records in the custody of the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. The signature of the Committee members and/or proxies performing the tally, affixed to the Certification Statement, shall constitute certification of the ballot. Notice of the election results shall be promptly given each involved Local Council. The winning candidate(s) and the Master Executive Council President will also receive a copy of the certificate.

d. Tally--The tally sheet will show:

(1) Number of eligible voters

(2) Number of ballots printed

(3) Number of ballots mailed in initial mailing

(4) Number of ballots mailed in supplemental mailings

(5) Number of ballots remaining in the Office

(6) Number of ballots returned

(7) Number of ballots voided

(8) Results of tally

(9) Signatures of the Committee members performing the tally

G. Additional Ballot Procedures for Local Council Nominations

1. Ballot Construction--The Committee will cause to be constructed standard nomination and election ballots as follows:

a. Standard nomination ballot form:

(1) Identification of ballot

(2) Instructions for marking and return

(3) Postmark date

(4) Space for listing nominees

2. Nominations by Mail Nominating Ballot--Notice of nominations, nominating ballot, commitment to serve card, and cover letter (explaining election procedures, information regarding the commitment to serve card and procedures for distribution of campaign literature) shall be sent to all active members of Local Councils scheduled for elections. Such mailing shall be made using each member's last known address as shown on the latest membership roster. Ballots will be mailed in envelopes marked appropriately to identify them as containing a ballot.

a. The ballot transmittal envelope for any nominating ballots going to members who are in bad standing as of the date the nominating ballots are mailed shall have "VERIFY STANDING ON COUNT DATE" prominently displayed.

b. Active members casting nominating ballots shall return the commitment to serve card and the marked ballots in the transmittal envelope provided for that purpose. The Ballot Certification Committee shall tally and certify the results of the nomination ballot in accordance with Article VIII.C. 1. of the Constitution and Bylaws. Candidates receiving nominations for each office will be contacted by telephone and/or e-mail in order to seek a commitment to serve statement, in the event candidate has not already provided such a statement. A copy of the e-mail will be sent to the Local Council President. The nominee shall have fourteen (14) days to respond to indicate a commitment to serve.

3. Commitment To Serve--A commitment to serve card to be filled in by the member completing the nomination ballot will be included in the transmittal envelope: "I recognize that in running for AFA local office, I commit to the highest ideals of the Union, its ethical practices and the AFA Constitution and Bylaws." The order of preference may be indicated after each office. (See also Article VIII.C.l.f.)

H. Additional Procedures for Local Council Elections

1. Standard Election Ballot Form--This form shall include the following information:

a. Identification of ballot

b. Instructions for marking and return

c. Names of nominees in alphabetical order

d. Space for write-in candidates

e. Postmark date

2. Candidate Insufficiency--When an insufficient number of eligible candidates are nominated, only those eligible candidates nominated will be shown on the ballot and the other nominee position will remain blank. The notice of election cover letter accompanying the ballot will contain a statement explaining the reason for the shortage of nominees. It will suggest the use of the write-in-privilege.

3. Print Request--A print request for election ballots will be made only after the International Secretary-Treasurer has checked and confirmed each nominee is an active member in good standing.

I. Additional Procedures for Executive Board Mail Balloting

1. General

a. All balloting by mail of the Executive Board shall be conducted by open ballot utilizing standard ballot forms and standard transmittal envelopes as established by the Committee.

b. Only those representatives who are members of the Executive Board on the count date of the mail ballot will be eligible to vote.

c. The Committee shall resolve tie votes in the manner specified by the Constitution and Bylaws for the particular ballot involved.

d. On any mail ballot of the Executive Board there shall be an individual vote on each separate issue. Special efforts shall he made to allow sufficient time for Executive Board members to consider the issues on a mail ballot to be returned in a self-addressed, stamped envelope, but not to exceed twenty (20) days.

e. Executive Board ballots will be mailed to all members of the Executive Board under separate cover with the envelope marked appropriately to identify them as containing a ballot.

f. Ballot Requests--Any member of the Executive Board not receiving a ballot may request one from the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. Such requests will be checked against the latest Executive Board roster. Duplicate ballots mailed will have the word "DUPLICATE" clearly indicated on the standard transmittal envelope.

g. Ballot Retention--The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall retain voting records in a locked file for a minimum of one (1) year. These records shall include ballots, unopened and voided ballots, tally sheets, certification statements, transmittal envelopes and other pertinent papers, and shall be available for inspection by members in good standing at any meeting of the Committee

2. Ballot Construction and Printing

a. Standard Executive Board Ballot Form:

(1) Identification of Ballot--Executive Board Ballot and date of mailing

(2) Identification of subject being balloted

(3) List of each separate issue with space to vote on each: for, against; abstain

(4) Space for signature, airline, and council:

Signature_________________________________
Airline    _________________________________
Council  _________________________________

(5) Postmark date

b. The cover letter from the International President shall include the following information:

(1) Description of reason for ballot

(2) Statement of majority required

(3) Count date

(4) Postmark date

c. Ballot Printing--The Committee will cause to be printed a special number of ballots to provide:

(1) One ballot for each member of the Executive Board

(2) Ballots for members elected subsequent to the initial mailing date

(3) Replacements for lost or mismarked ballots

3. Executive Board Ballot Counting

a. Executive Board ballots requiring certification by the Committee shall be validated and tallied in accordance with voting procedures.

b. Executive Board ballots will be voided for the following reasons:

(1) A ballot received with no signature on ballot

(2) A ballot received from a member who is no longer a member of the Executive Board as of the count date

(3) A ballot received after the ballot count has been certified by the Committee

(4) A ballot received with no vote expressed, or with any wrong marking of the vote which makes it impossible to tally that ballot

c. Voided ballots and unopened transmittal envelopes will have recorded thereon why they were voided and shall be initialed by the Committee present. The Committee shall be the sole arbiter in ruling a ballot valid or void.

d. When the tally is completed, the Committee shall place the ballots, tally sheets, and other necessary pertinent records in the custody of the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. The signature of the Committee members and/or proxies performing the tally, affixed to the Certification Statement, shall constitute certification of the ballot. Notice of the balloting results by airline shall be promptly forwarded to the Executive Board and Board of Directors.

J. Additional Procedures for Board of Directors Mail Balloting

1. General

a. All balloting by mail of the Board of Directors shall be conducted on a roll call basis, by open ballot utilizing only the standard ballot forms and standard transmittal envelopes as established by the Committee.

b. Only those representatives who are members of the Board of Directors on the count date of the mail ballot will be eligible to vote.

c. The Committee shall resolve tie votes in the manner specified by the Constitution and Bylaws for the particular ballot involved.

d. On any mail ballot of the Board of Directors there shall be an individual vote on each separate issue. Special efforts shall be made to allow sufficient time for Board of Directors members to consider the issues on a mail ballot and still meet the postmark date.

e. Board of Directors ballots will be mailed to all members of the Board under separate cover with the envelope marked appropriately to identify them as containing a ballot.

f. The cover letter from the International President shall include the following information:

(1) Description of reason for ballot

(2) Statement of majority required

(3) Count date

(4) Postmark date

g. Roll call ballots will be accompanied by a roll call roster of the Board of Directors. The mailing of the roll call ballot shall establish the number of members in good standing represented by each member of the Board of Directors. A member may vote all of the votes for or against each separate issue by marking with an "X" in the appropriate place or by writing in the number of votes. The Board member may split the votes on a separate issue by writing in the number of votes "For" and "Against."

h. Ballot Requests--Any member of the Board of Directors not receiving a ballot may request one from the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. Such requests will be checked against the latest Board of Directors roster. Duplicate ballots mailed will have the word "DUPLICATE" clearly indicated on the standard transmittal envelope.

i. Ballot Retention--The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall retain voting records in a locked file for a minimum of one (1) year. These records shall include ballots, unopened and voided ballots, tally sheets, certification statements, transmittal envelopes and other pertinent papers, and shall be available for inspection by members in good standing at any meeting of the Committee

2. Ballot Construction and Printing

a. Standard Board of Directors Ballot Form:

(1) Identification of Ballot--Board of Directors Ballot and date of mailing

(2) Identification of subject being balloted

(3) List of each separate issue with space to vote on each: for: against: abstain

(4) Space for signature, airline, and council:

Signature_________________________________
Airline    _________________________________
Council  _________________________________

(5) Postmark date

b. Ballot Printing--The Committee will cause to be printed a specified number of ballots to provide:

(1) One ballot for each member of the Board of Directors

(2) Ballots for members elected subsequent to the initial mailing date

(3) Replacements for lost or mismarked ballots

3. Board of Directors Ballot Counting

a. Board of Directors ballots requiring certification by the Committee shall be validated and tallied in accordance with voting procedures.

b. Board of Directors ballots will be voided for the following reasons:

(1) A ballot received with no signature on ballot

(2) A ballot received from a member who is no longer a member of the Board of Directors as of the count date

(3) A ballot received after the ballot count has been certified by the Committee

(4) A ballot received with no vote expressed, or with any wrong marking of the vote which makes it impossible to tally that ballot

(5) A roll call ballot received on which that member voted more votes than that to which the member is entitled.

c. Voided ballots and unopened transmittal envelopes will have recorded thereon why they were voided and shall be initialed by the Committee present. The Committee shall be the sole arbiter in ruling a ballot valid or void.

d. When the tally is completed the Committee shall place the ballots, tally sheets, and other necessary pertinent records in the custody of the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. The signature of the members and/or proxies performing the tally, affixed to the Certification Statement, shall constitute certification of the ballot. Notice of the balloting results by airline shall be promptly forwarded to the Board of Directors and Executive Board.

K. Additional Procedures for First Contract Ratification

The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union will compose a letter explaining, in detail, union voting procedures, including the definitions of: Member, Apprentice Member, and Non-Member, AFA-CWA Membership applications should be sent to all nonmembers. Each flight attendant of an airline voting to ratify a first contract should receive this letter before receiving an actual ballot to vote.

L. Additional Procedures for Electing AFA-CWA Convention Delegates

1. Any Local Council that does not have a sufficient number of elected Local Officers for all of the delegates permitted to be sent to the Convention will have the ability to elect additional delegates by secret ballot. These additional delegates may be elected by mail, electronically, or at an appropriately called Local Council Meeting.

2. These elections must be in compliance with the Labor-Management reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), the CWA Constitution, and the CWA Local Elections Manual. Elections should be scheduled so that they may be certified in time so that the elected delegates may register online for the Convention.

3. Local Councils decide how many Delegates to send to the Convention, based upon local budgetary constraints and the maximum permitted under the CWA Constitution.

4. Delegates must be sent in the order specified in Article III.C.3, with the order amongst Council Representatives determined by the number of votes received in their respective elections.

5. When a Delegate is unable to attend, an Alternate may be sent, and Article III.C.3. identifies the order amongst the alternates.

M. Electronic Balloting Procedures

The procedures outlined in this Section are applicable to the following ballots of the Union: nominations, elections, Executive Board, Board of Directors, strike, contract ratification, assessment, and special that are conducted electronically via telephone or the Internet.

1. Construction of Ballot Letter--The standard electronic ballot letter shall contain the following information:

a. Identification of ballot.

b. Reason for the ballot.

c. Instructions for voting.

d. Clear, concise statement of the question.

e. Statement of majority required which will be Plurality for Local Council Elections.

f. Polling period - A deadline date and time for closing of the balloting after which time no votes will be accepted, with such date to be determined by the Master Executive Council President, provided that the minimum required time frame is met. However, for Local Council nominations and elections, the International Secretary-Treasurer shall establish the deadline for closing of the polling period.

2. Notice of Ballot --All active members shall receive notice of the conduct of the ballot via one or more of the following methods:

a. Letter or postcard to address of record.

b. Automated telephone call to telephone number of record.

c. E-mail if available

d. Notice of ballot should be posted on AFA-CWA bulletin boards and websites and printed in any newsletters published during the balloting period.

e. Notice of ballot shall contain the following information:

(1) Reason for ballot

(2) Short resume of voting procedures including how to access the ballot

(3) Polling dates

(4) Count date

3. Any member attaining eligibility status subsequent to the initial polling date shall be granted access to an electronic ballot upon request.

4. New Local Council members shall be provided access to an electronic ballot upon request of the Local Council President or the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.

5. Members may vote or change their vote as often as they choose during the balloting period. Only the last vote as of the close of the polling period shall be counted.

6. Records Review--All certifications of results will be reviewed by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union to assure that correct procedures have been followed. The membership status of each nominee will be checked and confirmed using the latest membership roster.

7. Ballot Count--After the close of the polling period but prior to the final tally of all votes received, the database shall be updated for verification of membership status, standing, and eligibility to vote with the most recent information available.

8. Observer Notices shall be the same as for mail ballots referenced in Section IX.F.12.a.2

9. Staff Restriction--Only AFA-CWA staff may assist the Committee during the count.

10.Electronic ballots conducted by the International Office and requiring certification by the Committee shall have the count date scheduled by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union, unless otherwise specified. Two members of the Committee or their duly authorized proxies must be present to validate and tally all ballots requiring certification.

11.Only votes received during the polling period shall be counted.

12.Ballots will be voided for the following reasons:

a. Ineligible to vote ( bad standing )

b. Ineligible to vote ( other than bad standing )

c. Any remarks or notations identifying the voter

13.Tally and Certification Report shall show:

a. Number of eligible voters

b. Dates and times of the polling period

c. Number of ballots cast

d. Number of ballots voided

e. Results of tally

f. Signatures of Committee members certifying the vote.

14.Electronic ballots for Local Council Nominations shall be constructed appropriately using the provisions in Section IX.G.

15.Electronic ballots for Local Council Elections shall be constructed appropriately using the provisions of Section IX.H.

16.Electronic ballots for Executive Board balloting shall be constructed and conducted using the provisions of Section IX.I., excepting that the ballot and cover letter shall be sent electronically, and no signature shall be required on the ballot.

17.Electronic ballots for Board of Directors balloting shall be conducted using the provisions of Section IX.J., excepting that the ballot and cover letter shall be transmitted electronically and no signature shall be required on the ballot.