This change adds additional language pertaining to utilizing electronic voting for Union Officer positions. It stipulates the guidelines regarding the process of how electronic voting will be implemented and the time frames involved.
A) Secret ballot votes for Union officer and/or IAFF convention delegate/alternate elections will be conducted through the use of an electronic platform by a vendor that complies with the U.S. Department of Labor’s guidance for Election Union Officers Using Remote Electronic Voting Systems issued in December, 2024, unless the Executive Board determines that the conduct of a vote using an electronic platform would be cost prohibitive, in which case such secret ballot vote would be conducted either by in-person polling or by mail ballot. Other types of secret ballot votes held by the Union may be conducted by electronic platform if determined by the Executive Board to be cost efficient.
B) In a secret ballot vote using an electronic platform, notice of the election, access codes, and voting instructions, which must include instructions on how to request a replacement access code, must be mailed using postal mail to every members’ last known address at least 15 days prior to the start of the voting period and at least 30 days prior to the close of the voting period’
C) In a secret ballot vote using an electronic platform, a voter eligibility list must be provided to all candidates 5 days before the start of the voting period and all challenges to eligibility must be submitted to the Election Committee 2 days before the start of the voting period. The Election Committee must resolve all challenges to eligibility prior to the start of the voting period.
D) Official observers designated by the candidates in any election conducted through the use of an electronic platform must be entitled to view the preparation and mailing of voter access codes and instructions, any replacement access codes and instructions, and the count and/or tabulation of electronic votes either in person or by video. Observers also must be permitted to watch a test run on practice ballots to verify that the system records and tally votes accurately.
E) The Union shall obtain from the vendor a digital and paper copy of the count and/or tabulation results at the conclusion of the election and must retain the voting system, and the vendor must retain all digital records (e.g. voting system, credentials, log files, time stamped software codes, tally results) related to the election for at least on year from the later date of the date of election or the resolution of all election challenges, whereupon all digital records will be destroyed.
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