National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C.      Vol. 33, No. 11 * June 4, 2001

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NACo’s most frequently asked voting questions

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On what issues or for which candidates do counties vote?
Counties vote on resolutions that set NACo legislative policy for the coming year. Delegates also elect NACo officers for the coming year. In 2001, one of the four officers’ slots is contested — second vice president.

How can my county vote?
A county must be a NACo member “in good standing” to vote. This means a county’s dues for the year 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.

What are credentials?
Credentials attest to a county’s eligibility to vote. They contain 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.

What is the credentials form?
The credentials form provides a space in which to designate the name of the individual who can cast the county’s ballot. This individual (or an alternate) is also responsible for picking up the ballot. The form is used by NACo to prepare a county’s voting credentials.

How is the credentials form distributed?
The form is mailed to the chief elected official in member counties (the board president or county executive) so that they can provide the name of the county’s voting delegate to NACo. Only counties that had paid their 2001 NACo dues received a credentials form. The form was mailed May 1. The deadline for returning the form to NACo is Monday, June 18.

What do I do if I miss the June deadline for returning the credentials identification form to NACo?
It won’t be too late to return the credentials form. However, it’s a good idea to call NACo’s Membership Coordinator, Josh Fudge, at 202/942-4242 and alert him that the form is on its way. You can return the form via fax (202/393-2630).
If you have misplaced the form, another can be faxed to you (Fudge-202/942-4242), or you can prepare a letter on your county’s stationery stating the name and job title of the voting delegate and alternate delegate. This letter can be used by the voting delegate to pick up your county’s ballot at the Credentials Desk.

How does NACo determine the number of votes each county receives?
The number of votes is determined by the amount of dues a county pays. Dues, in turn, are based on population.
NACo’s bylaws allot one additional vote for every $500 paid in dues. Therefore, counties with dues between $350 and $499 receive one vote; counties with dues between $500 and $999 receive two votes; counties with dues between $1,000 to $1,499 receive three votes, and so on. The maximum possible number of votes is 77.

My county has 10 votes. How can our 25 commissioners divide or share the votes?
That’s up to your county. NACo has no rule as to how counties decide whom to vote for or how to allocate their votes.

Our county executive is attending the conference and is the only person from our county attending. However, he is leaving before the voting takes place. Can our county still vote?
Yes, there is proxy voting. Your executive can give the county’s ballot to either your state association’s executive director or president. He can also give it to another county official within your state.

This is my first Annual Conference and I am the designated voting delegate. What should do I do when I arrive at the conference?
The first thing you do is register for the conference. After registering, go to the Credentials Desk, which is adjacent to registration, and present your conference name tag. You should later check the conference program to find out when your state association is having its caucus.
State associations typically have a breakfast or dinner. It’s usually at this time that officials from the state will determine how they will handle the voting process.
The election is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17.

What if our commissioners want to vote for the two different candidates running for the same office of second vice president? Can we split our vote?
Nothing in NACo bylaws prohibits a county’s splitting its vote.

I’ve heard the term “unit vote” used. What is it?
Some states, by custom or policy, cast all of their votes as a block, or “unit.” However, NACo bylaws permit each county to cast its votes as it chooses.

When does the voting take place?
The voting takes place Tuesday, July 17.

How does the voting occur?
States sit together as a delegation. The reading clerk will call out a state. Someone appointed by that state will approach the nearest microphone and cast the state’s vote. This will continue until one of the candidates has a majority (50 percent plus one) of the total number of votes being cast. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. In 1998 delegates continued voting after the 51 percent mark had been reached.

What is the Credentials Committee?
The Credentials Committee ensures the credibility of the election and is charged with resolving disputes among members.

How are members selected?
The current NACo president nominates a minimum of three elected county officials from member counties.
NACo President Jane Hague has appointed the following to serve on the committee.
Parliamentarian:Julian Bolton, commissioner, Shelby County, Tenn.
Chair: Oscar Soliz, clerk, Nueces County, Texas
Member: Julia Gouge, commissioner, Carroll County, Md.
Tally Clerk: Betty Knight, Presiding Commissioner, Platte County, Mo.
Reading Clerk: Joseph Giles, council member, Erie County, Pa.