Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: The president of our small union was running unopposed. He was defeated by a 1 vote margin by a write-in candidate. The write-in candidate was already on the ballot as running unopposed for the sec/treas job. He won both. Can he "run" for the presidency? Does he forfeit the sec/treas job? Does the person who came in second for the sec/treas job become the sec/treas? Or do we have a special election for sec/treas? Nothing in our bylaws pertains to this. - David Halpin, Dec. 2, 1999

A: It's not contrary to RONR to hold more than one office, but it says, "it is understood in most societies that a member can serve in only one such capacity at a time.... [H]e can choose which of the offices he will accept." (RONR p. 432.)

So, he can hold both offices if he wants, but he should be encouraged to give up one for the good of the union.

If he does give up one, your union should hold a special election to fill the vacancy, unless your bylaws specify another method.

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