2022 MGP Elections: Voting & Tabulating Information

A. Voting Period

1A. The voting period runs from May 22, 2022 at Noon until June 12, 2022 at Noon. 

B. Eligibility & Verification (Bylaws 5.3-5.3.3)

1B. In order for votes to be counted, voters must be registered voters in the state of Maryland affiliated with the Green Party.

2B. Individuals who are unable to register to vote due to legal status may sign an internal MGP document that expresses their intention to be counted as MGP decision-making members. This includes persons who are not U.S. citizens, persons who are incarcerated, and persons under 18 years of age. Members must be at least 16 years old.

3B. The name, date of birth, and zip code provided by voters will be used to verify registration status. Voter information must be provided to match what they have on file with the State Board of Elections. Votes electronically submitted using the form are time stamped, with a receipt of vote selections sent to the voter. Results will be announced at the Assembly.

C. Ballots

1C. With the Assembly being virtual, an opportunity to vote in officer elections will be provided to members ahead of the Assembly. These ballots may come in the form of electronic or paper submissions. Paper ballots shall be made available to those requesting them. Secure electronic systems must be used.

Electronic: Ballots will be available May 22-June 12 (11:59 a.m.). Ballots must be requested by contacting [email protected] or by submitting our Ballot Request form, available on our website as of May 22. When making your request, please provide your full name, your zipcode, and your date of birth. Ballots submitted without a request will be rejected.

Paper: Paper ballots are available by request from [email protected]. Requests are due by 05/28/2022 and ballots must be received by the time ballots are counted on 06/12/2022.

D. Officer Elections - Voting Methods (Bylaws 5.2)

2022 Officer Candidates - VOTER INFORMATION

1D. The selection of MGP officers, GPUS delegates, and GPUS Alternates and Presidential Nominating Committee Delegates shall be as specified below. Guiding Green principles and values are for voting methods that promote the fullest possible representation and inclusivity, such as multi-member seats, proportionality, and single transferable vote (STV), and for voting methods that avoid factionalism and domination.

Single-Member Seats. Ranked choice elections will be calculated using instant runoff voting (IRV) for single-seat elections with a Droop quota (ballots/(seats+1))+1. A candidate must pass the Droop quota in order to be elected.

Multi-Member Seats. Ranked choice elections will be calculated using Scottish Method single transferable vote (STV) using the Droop quota as a static threshold for multiple-seat elections. All candidates must pass the static threshold in order to be elected.

2D. If a seat remains unfilled after the election, nominations shall immediately re-open for that position and remain open for 30 days. None of the candidates previously listed on the ballot shall be eligible to be nominated. A new election shall take place, following all the rules outlined in Article 5 of the MGP bylaws.

E. Bylaws Amendments

2022 Bylaws Proposals - VOTER INFORMATION

1E. Submissions: The deadline passed at noon May 10, 2022, for any local or member to submit proposals for inclusion on the Assembly ballot. Amendments may also be ratified by a 2/3 majority at any MGP Assembly, and take effect immediately upon adjournment at the Assembly at which they are adopted, unless the amendment specifically provides otherwise. Alternatively and excluding Articles 2, 5, and 14 of the bylaws, the Coordinating Council may decide with 3/4 support to temporarily amend the bylaws. All temporary amendments must be approved by the Assembly to be made permanent.

2E. Approval: Proposals must have 2/3 support from the Assembly to be approved.

F. Tabulation, Results, and Disputes

1F. Tabulation will be done by Opavote.

2F. A preliminary announcement of election results will be made by 7:00 PM 06/12/2022.

3F. Any dispute of the results must be filed by 7:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday 06/15/2022. Dispute resolution will be handled by the Meetings and Assemblies Committee and the Bylaws Review and Rules Committee within 7 days.

G. Authority & Notification (Bylaws 5.2)

In accordance with Bylaws 5.2.7, an ad-hoc internal elections committee is responsible for recommending to the coordinating committee these procedures. The coordinating council must approve these election procedures at least 60 days in advance of any assembly, and these procedures must be posted prominently at least 50 days before any election.

The procedures the committee has authority over include times, dates, software method of requesting the ballot, ballot wording, and ballot design.

Anyone seeking an office should be recused from the committee.

The CC shall ensure that the membership is notified of nominations, candidates, and elections. All registered greens and all green party locals must be notified of calls for nominations and elections. The MGP shall provide a forum for candidates to present their positions to the membership. The internal elections committee shall determine the timing and method of the communication with members, as well as the forum for candidates.

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