May a defeated candidate run for another office?

Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: My question relates to procedure in elections. During our recent elections, we voted on 5 executive positions in the organization along with 7 other administrative offices. Our bylaws state that no one may hold more than one executive office, and no more than 2 offices total. Our elections procedure consisted of nominating a candidate then after some discussion immediately voting on the nominees. However, several people who lost in the first executive positions race immediately ran for the other spots. Is this normal election procedure? It seems a little unfair that members who are defeated in elections can immediately nominate themselves and run for other positions on a whim. - Y.C., May. 3, 1999

A: Yes, this is normal procedure. RONR p. 432 explains that after one office is filled, nominations are opened from the floor for the next office so that the assembly can take into consideration the results of prior elections.

HOME QUESTIONS OTHER SITES