NACo election credentials, voting info forms mailed

July 7 deadline to return NACo 2017 election forms 

Credentials and voting information for NACo’s 2017 election were mailed on June 2 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 e-mail.  In order to vote, a county must have paid its 2017 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 alternate authorized to pick up a county’s voting materials.  There can only be one alternate designated on the form.

Learn More

Contact Alex Koroknay-Palicz, membership coordinator at akpalicz@naco.org or 888.407.6226,  ext. 291.

NACo governance

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 chief elected official, 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/governance.  The deadline to return the form is Friday, July 7.

This year’s election will be held on Monday, July 24 at 10 a.m. during the Business Meeting at the NACo Annual Conference in Franklin County, Ohio.  Counties will vote on resolutions that set NACo legislation and association policy for the coming year and changes to the NACo bylaws.  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 2017 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.  The maximum number of votes a county can receive is 121.

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 Credentials Committee ensures that all member counties participating in the election process, either for NACo officers 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 2017 Credentials Committee members include: Alisha Bell, commissioner, Wayne County, Mich. — chair; J.D. Clark, judge, Wise County, Texas — member; and Don Saylor, supervisor, Yolo County, Calif. — member.

The NACo bylaws also provide for a parliamentarian, reading clerk and tally clerk to aid in the election process.  They include Grover Robinson, commissioner, Escambia County, Fla. —reading clerk; Debbie Wise, county circuit clerk, Randolph County, Ark. — tally clerk; and Ginger Delegal, commissioner, Escambia County, Fla. — parliamentarian