[Lnc-business] Motion for November LNC meeting - filling vacancies

[Rich Tomasso]

I'm making a motion with prior notice for inclusion in the agenda for 
the Nov LNC meeting.

We said we'd resolve this at or before the coming LNC meeting. It's 
essentially our process for the current vacancy, based on earlier 
motion. I added to voting and notifications, based on my observations 
and comments from members.

(I apologize for not having this put together in reasonable time for a 
mail ballot before the meeting.)

~Rich T.
  Region 5N

- - -

I move that the following be added to the Policy Manual as a new section 
under Article I:

Filling At-Large Vacancies on the LNC.

In the event of a vacancy in one or more At-Large positions, the 
following procedure shall be used to fill the vacancy for the remainder 
of the term.

1. Notice of the vacancy shall be given via e-mail to all sustaining 
members and the state chairs, informing of the vacancy, the procedure to 
apply for consideration, and the qualifications to meet eligibility. If 
time permits, based on the judgment of the editor, notice of the vacancy 
shall also be published in LP News and on the LP website.

2. Notice must be given at least 30 days prior to the LNC meeting at
which the vacancy will be filled, and no vacancy can be filled without
this notice being given.

3. Filling At-Large vacancies on the LNC shall be conducted as part of 
the credentials report agenda item.

4. Applications must be received by the Secretary at least 14 days prior 
to the LNC meeting at which the vacancy is filled. Applications shall 
consist of the member's contact information, a brief statement of their 
desire and ability to serve, and up to one page of any supporting 
information they wish to submit.

5. Any applying member that meets the qualifications for the office as 
stated in the Bylaws on the date of their application will be considered 
a candidate by the LNC. Staff will verify if applicants are eligible to 
serve.

6. The Secretary will distribute the list of candidates and their 
applications to the LNC at least seven days prior to the LNC meeting at 
which the vacancy will be filled.

7. Additional nominations may be made by any LNC member on behalf of a 
qualified party member at the LNC meeting at which the vacancy will be 
filled.

8. All LNC members and alternates may apply for the vacancy, but they 
must follow this same procedure in order to be considered.

9. After nominations are closed, candidates attending the LNC meeting at 
which the vacancy will be filled shall be given two minutes to address 
the LNC prior to the election.

10. If there are more than four candidates for the At-Large vacancy, the 
first round of the election shall use approval voting. Any candidate 
with votes on at least half the ballots will advance to the next round 
of the election. (For example, if 15 LNC members are voting, any 
candidate receiving at least 8 votes advances to the next round.)

11. If more than one At-Large vacancy is being filled, the final round 
of voting shall use a method of ranked results, except in cases where a 
subsequent ballot is required to break a tie. In those cases, the 
subsequent ballot shall only include the candidates that represent the 
tie and each LNC member shall vote for one or none. The vacancies shall 
be filled by the candidates receiving the highest ranking of votes in order.

12. All votes by the LNC to fill vacancies shall be recorded.

13. The newly elected LNC member(s) shall take office immediately after 
the vote has been recorded and their presence shall be noted in the 
credentials report.