D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-1511

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 44, November 1, 2024

Rule 7-1511 - ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

1511.1

In accordance with the Reform Act, the Board of Trustees is responsible for and shall conduct elections to allow qualified voters to elect:

(a) One (1) active member representative and one (1) retired member representative from FEMS;

(b) One (1) active member representative and one (1) retired member representative from MPD;

(c) One (1) active member representative and one (1) retired member representative from DCPS.

1511.2

The Board is authorized to act as the election official or to enter into an agreement with an election official to delegate certain functions and responsibilities vested in the Board by the Reform Act. The election official shall adhere to these Rules without partiality toward any candidate.

1511.3

The election official shall be the primary point of contact for all matters pertaining to a Board election during an election cycle. To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest or partiality, the Board and Board staff shall refrain from communicating with qualified voters, including prospective or eligible candidates, on matters related to a Board election during an election cycle and shall direct any inquiries or concerns to the attention of the election official immediately.

1511.4

The election official shall prepare a schedule for conducting the election of a trustee or trustees during each election cycle. The election schedule shall include:

(a) The date on which Statement of Candidacy forms shall be made available to qualified voters by the election official;

(b) The date on which completed Statement of Candidacy forms must be submitted to the election official by qualified voters;

(c) The date on which the election official will distribute ballots to qualified voters;

(d) The last date on which the completed ballots must be received by the election official from qualified voters; and

(e) The date on which the election results are to be presented to the Board for certification.

1511.5 Timing.

(a) The election schedule shall:

(1) Allow for no fewer than twenty (20) days for qualified voters to complete and submit a Statement of Candidacy form;

(2) Provide for notification to nominated qualified voters of their eligibility or ineligibility to stand for election no later than ten (10) days after the due date for submission of Statement of Candidacy forms has passed and the forms have been validated;

(3) Allow qualified voters no less than thirty (30) days to complete and submit election ballots; and

(4) Allow eligible candidates no fewer than seven (7) days to request a recount of the election ballots after the publication of the certified election results in accordance with Section 1523 of these Rules.

1511.6 Method of Delivery.

(a) Election materials, which include any related schedules and notices, shall be provided in a manner that is contemplated to reach the greatest number of qualified voters, including, but not limited to, mail, electronic mail, and publication on the Board's website or other Board communication portal, provided that the method of distribution allows qualified voters a reasonable time to comply with the dates included in the election schedule for an election cycle.

(b) The method or methods used to distribute election materials shall clearly and prominently state:

(1) That the communication is made on behalf of the Board;

(2) The category of qualified voter to which the communication is addressed; and

(3) That the communication contains election materials.

1511.7

Any substantive amendment to election materials, which impacts any date included in the election schedule for an election cycle, must be made available to qualified voters as soon as administratively possible in the same manner provided for in Section 1511.6 of these Rules.

1511.8

The election official shall provide election materials to qualified voters. The Board shall make available to the election official a list of qualified voters. The list shall be comprised of qualified voters included in the payroll or pension roll paid within thirty (30) days, but no more than sixty (60) days, prior to the distribution of election notices.

1511.9

Election materials may also be made available by the election official upon request from a qualified voter.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-1511

Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 2951 (3/23/2018)