< Election Rules >

54th Youth Governor, Eric
Wickstrom, presides at T&E1.

The Youth & Government Program offers three different types of elections. They are as follows:

Convention style elections where delegations cast their votes as a group. The number of votes allotted to each delegation is dependent on how many of their delegates are present at the proceedings.
House, NIC, and Court Elections where delegates of the Senate, Assembly, NIC, and Court programs that are present at the proceedings vote on selected officers via secret ballot.
Secret Ballot General Elections where delegates vote for candidates using the Scantron coding system. Each delegate attending the conference has the opportunity to submit one ballot.

CONVENTION STYLE ELECTIONS

Every youth delegate registered and present at the Conference is entitled to one vote.
Each YMCA delegation shall select (in whatever manner it deems appropriate) a delegation chairperson. When called upon, the chairperson will announce the vote distribution for his/her delegation. There is no unit rule (that is, each delegation is not bound to cast all of its votes for one candidate), however, individual votes may not be split into fractions.
Each YMCA shall offer its vote as a delegation for each candidate on each ballot as the roll is called. Those individual members of each YMCA delegation not exercising their right to vote (abstaining), will be listed as present but not voting on that ballot. Delegates abstaining will lose their right to vote on that particular ballot.
A majority of the votes cast by youth delegates present and voting is required for election to any office.
The Elections Chairperson shall determine at what random point in the alphabetical list of YMCAs the balloting roll call shall begin.
After the roll is completed, the Elections Chairperson shall announce the vote. If a majority is not achieved by one candidate on the first ballot, the election will continue to a second ballot by eliminating the names of all candidates with the exception of the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
At the conclusion of an official tally, when any candidate has received a majority of the votes cast by delegates present and voting, the Elections Chairperson shall declare the candidate elected to office.
In matters not covered by these rules, the Elections Chairperson's ruling shall prevail.

HOUSE & COURT ELECTIONS

Every delegate registered as a Member and present at the proceedings for the election of the house and Court officers is entitled to one vote for each office.
Balloting will be done in alphabetical order of members registered and present at the proceedings.
A majority of the votes cast by members present and voting is required for election.
Each member may vote for a candidate on each ballot by secret ballot. Members passing will lose their vote on that particular ballot.
After the secret ballot is completed for each office, the Chairperson shall announce the vote. If a majority is not achieved by one candidate on the first ballot, the election will continue to a second ballot by eliminating the names of all candidates with the exception of the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
When, in an official tally, any candidate, receives the necessary votes (as specified above), the Chairperson shall declare the candidate elected.
In matters not covered by these rules, the Chairperson's ruling shall prevail.

SECRET BALLOT ELECTIONS

Every delegate registered is entitled to one secret ballot (Scantron)
Every delegate is entitled to mark one vote for each office.
Delegates may abstain from voting for anyone for a certain office by leaving all choices blank.
Delegates may avail themselves of the write in procedure available.
The Staff Advisor to the Secretary of State is responsible for counting the ballots.
The candidate receiving the most votes wins. In the case of offices that require two officers (Blue & Gold), the two candidates receiving the most votes win.
After the secret ballot has closed the Chairperson shall announce the vote.

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