NACo election credentials process underway

Credentials and voting information for NACo’s 2016 election were mailed May 20 to the chief elected official (CEO) and clerk of each member county. Registered attendees for the Annual Conference also received a link to credentials information via email.

In order to vote, a county must have paid its 2016 dues and have at least one paid registration to the Annual Conference. The CEO must indicate on the credentials form, the names of the voting delegate and an alternate who is authorized to pick up a county’s voting materials. There can only be one alternate designated on the form.

This year’s election will be held on Monday, July 25 at 10 a.m. during the Business Meeting at the NACo Annual Conference in Los Angeles County.

State association of counties presidents will pick up unclaimed ballots on the evening before the election unless a county’s CEO indicates on the credentials form that the state association president cannot pick up the ballot. A county may also choose not to cast its ballot.

Each member county must return a form, signed by the CEO, in order to vote. In addition to being mailed, the credentials form is also available via a link on the NACo website at www.naco.org/credentials. The deadline to return the form is Friday, July 1.

Counties will vote on resolutions that set NACo legislation and association policy for the coming year. Delegates will also elect NACo officers for the coming year. The position of second vice president is typically contested.

The county must be a NACo member “in good standing” in order to vote, meaning that a county’s dues for 2016 must be paid before the voting occurs. Also, the county must have at least one paid registration for the Annual Conference and have proper credentials.

The credentials form attests to a county’s eligibility to vote. The form contains information on the number of votes a county is eligible to cast, as well as the identity of the delegate who is authorized to cast the county’s vote.

The number of votes per county is determined by the amount of dues it pays.

Dues are based on population.

Counties with dues of $450 to $499 receive one vote.

Counties with dues of $500 to $999 receive two votes.

Counties with dues of $1,000 to $1,499 receive three votes, and so on.

The maximum number of votes a county can receive is 121.

CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE AND OTHER ELECTION OFFICIALS

The Credentials Committee ensures that all member counties participating in the election process, either for NACo officer or policy, are able to do so in the most efficient and fair manner. The committee confirms requests for credentials pick-up, helps guarantee that the process runs smoothly, resolves credentials disputes and assists during the election itself.

The 2016 Credentials Committee includes Alisha Bell, commissioner, Wayne County, Mich., chair; and members, Tony Hyde, commissioner, chair, Columbia County, Ore; and Robert Thomas, commissioner, Franklin County, Pa.

The NACo bylaws also provide for a parliamentarian, reading clerk and tally clerk to aid in the election process. These include: Dan Chadwick, executive director, Idaho Association of Counties, parliamentarian; Buddy Boe, councilman, St. John the Baptist Parish, La., reading clerk; and Tracey Johnson, commissioner, Washington County, N.C., tally clerk.

If you have any questions, please contact Alex Koroknay-Palicz, membership coordinator at akpalicz@naco.org or 888.407.NACo (6226) x291.