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Run-Off Elections

When the election is completed, those candidates who received a majority of the votes cast for their office are declared elected. If no candidate received a majority, a run-off election must be held for that office. The ballot for the run-off election will contain two names for each office to be billed. For a single-post office, such as President, this simply means listing the two candidates who ran first and second in the original election. In a multi-post office, the situation may be somewhat different. If, for example, nine candidates are running for three Executive Board positions and only one received a majority, the ballot for the run-off would list the four candidates who finished second, third, fourth and fifth in the original election (i.e., two candidates for each of the two remaining Executive Board slots).

This "Rule of Two" should avoid the necessity of more than one run-off; but it doesn't always work. If, in the race for President, no one gets a majority and there is a tie for the second spot, three names must go on the run-off ballot—unless one withdraws. If three names do go on the ballot, the majority requirement still applies and a second run-off is possible.

Suppose, following an election contest in which no candidate received a majority, one of the top two announces his or her withdrawal. Is a run-off still required?

Yes, it is, with the third candidate moving up into the run-off. The only way to avoid a run-off is for all candidates except one to withdraw.

When can a run-off be held? If the election was held at a meeting and the meeting is still in process when the ballots are counted and the results reported, it can be held immediately. Otherwise, the 15-day notice requirement comes into play—unless, of course, the Sub-Chapter has, as part of the original notice informed the membership that a run-off, if one is needed, will be held on a particular day, time and place. In that case, the original notice will suffice.

In any case, the run-off should be held as quickly as possible and under the same general rules as were applied during the original election.

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