Election and Campaign Rules Guide – Fall 2022 Steward Elections

Oct 27, 2022 | Uncategorized

Note: This is a summary put together by the Elections Committee to help candidates and their supporters understand the general rules surrounding the election. This guide should not be taken as the final word; instead, please refer to applicable sections of the UAW Local 4121 Bylaws and the UAW International Constitution.

1. Elections Committee

  • This election is taking place under the supervision of the democratically elected Elections Committee, on dates and times that were democratically approved by the membership at the October 13, 2022 membership meeting. If after reading this guide, you have questions, please reach out to elections@uaw4121.org.

2. Positions and Terms

  • The following offices will be elected:
    • 2 ASE Stewards for the Biochemistry Department
  • The terms for all Stewards will last until September 2024. 

3. Voting

  • All UAW 4121 members in good standing who are from Biochemistry and the Academic Student Employee (ASE) Unit are eligible to vote.
  • The 2 Stewards will be elected by a majority of votes cast by secret ballot. The vote will be conducted online from Monday 11/07 – Thursday 11/10 and all members from Biochemistry and the ASE Unit will be given a reasonable opportunity to vote.

4. Campaigning and Union Resources:

  • Apart from resources provided equally to all candidates described above, no other Local Union resources may be used by any candidate to campaign for Local Union office. This applies to cash, facilities, equipment, vehicles, office supplies, etc., of UAW 4121 and any other union, and of employers whether or not they employ Local UAW 4121 members. 
  • This also includes the use of union membership and email lists, which cannot be used for campaigns.
  • Union officers and employees may not campaign on time paid for by the union. 
  • Candidates must be treated equally regarding the opportunity to campaign and that all members may support the candidates of their choice without being subject to penalty, discipline, or reprisal of any kind.

5. Voter Eligibility: 

  • All UAW 4121 members in good standing who are from Biochemistry and the Academic Student Employee (ASE) Unit are eligible to vote.
  • As provided in Article 38, Section 10(a) of the Constitution, “Every member in good standing shall be entitled to vote at all Local Union elections.” Also, as per Article 6, Section 4, “membership shall date from the first day of the month for which dues are paid or dues check-off is authorized.” 
  • If you are not sure if you are eligible to vote, please contact elections@uaw4121.org.

6. Challengers: 

  • A challenger is a candidate representative who may attend the online ballot count to watch the conduct of Election Committee members to ensure that the election is conducted in a fair and impartial manner.
  • Each candidate may designate one (1) member of the Local Union to be present at the ballot count as a challenger.

7. Protests: 

  • A member who believes there is substantial evidence of fraud that influenced the outcome of the election may lodge a protest within 7 days, or before the next membership or executive board meeting, whichever is later, pursuant to the Local Bylaws and International Union Constitution.

8. Questions or Problems: