Below is a summary of changes that I am proposing to our Local Constitution. Click the button above to see the Constitution with the changes. These will be voted on at the all member’s meeting on June 13th.
Proposed Amendments to ZSE Constitution
TO BE VOTED ON AT THE MEMBER’S MEETING ON 6/13
Amendment 1:
Amend Article VIII Section 2 and add a new section to Article XI for the purpose of establishing a special election for terms of office (Excluding President). This special election would only take place if more than 180 days remained on the vacated term.
Rationale:
Over the last 2 years we went through a substantial amount of turnover on our Local Executive Board. While we did make it out of that just fine, it highlighted to me a better way to fill vacated terms. Giving the membership the opportunity to vote when terms have a significant amount of time left gives them more of a voice. I understand that the counter argument would be that they already have a voice by allowing their elected leaders to choose for them. However, I believe this is the most democratic way to determine who should fill the office.
This would not apply to the office of President/FACREP. As the Vice President is known as the alternate FACREP it is expected that they would fill the role of President if vacated.
Amendment 2:
Delete Article XI Section 4.
Rationale:
We adopted this section in 2016 and I believe that we would be better served to delete it and revert to the process described in the National Constitution.
As it stands now, if 3 candidates received 100 votes divided as follows:
49 votes for candidate A
26 votes for candidate B
25 votes for candidate C
Candidates A and B would be required to have a runoff. If this amendment passes then candidate A would win the election and not require us to have a runoff election that would only prolong the process.
Amendment 3:
Amend Article XI Sections 2 and 3 to move the election time table up. If adopted, elections would be completed by September 15thof election years.
Rationale:
As it stands right now, our Local Elections are only required to be completed by November 30thwith nominations taking place between October 1stand 21st. This allows for a situation where an incoming FACREP would bid a schedule in their area and then immediately vacate the line which could be problematic for the area. As a Local, we are trying to bid sooner these days and this would give us a fighting chance to complete elections prior to bidding the schedule. This also has the added benefit of increasing the amount of time incoming and outgoing reps have to do their changeover.
If you have any questions, I would love to answer them. Please don’t hesitate to email, call, text, or stop me in the hallway to explain any of these.
Drew Stewart (D Area)
503.593.8178