On
Nonprofits ©
January 2010
Secret
Ballot or a Show of Hands
Q:
We have an election coming up and a number of
us would like to know the most common practice
of nonprofit boards: To elect board members by
public vote or secret ballot?
A:
Given your question, it appears your vote is not
proforma. Good. I give extra points to any organization
that questions how to move forward and with whom.
I trust it means that you have sufficient depth
of leadership to require a serious vote and that
you are looking for the most effective means of
achieving that.
Both
voting procedures are commonly used. I am unaware
of one being used significantly more than the
other. The approach a specific organization takes
is often spelled out in that organization’s
bylaws.
If your bylaws do not specify the technique to
use, consider the advantages and disadvantages
of each. The public vote is faster and everyone
sees the will of the people. However, the results
of a voice vote may be determined on the basis
of the group that projects the loudest. And, if
the first candidate gets a particularly hearty
response, those intending to vote for the second
candidate may feel the majority has spoken and
opt not to vote rather than be associated with
what they perceive will be the losing side. Even
a show of hands can be inaccurate unless several
people are counting and all arrive at the same
number. However, a secret ballot has its own problems.
It takes longer. And, if the nominations were
contentious, there may be a question about the
validity of the vote and/or the subsequent count.
Of course, this can be mitigated if ballots are
numbered and accounted for, and there are representatives
from “both sides” counting the ballots.
If your bylaws do not specify the technique to
use, consider the advantages and disadvantages
of each. The public vote is faster and everyone
sees the will of the people. However, the results
of a voice vote may be determined on the basis
of the group that projects the loudest. And, if
the first candidate gets a particularly hearty
response, those intending to vote for the second
candidate may feel the majority has spoken and
opt not to vote rather than be associated with
what they perceive will be the losing side. Even
a show of hands can be inaccurate unless several
people are counting and all arrive at the same
number. However, a secret ballot has its own problems.
It takes longer. And, if the nominations were
contentious, there may be a question about the
validity of the vote and/or the subsequent count.
Of course, this can be mitigated if ballots are
numbered and accounted for, and there are representatives
from “both sides” counting the ballots.
COMMENTS
As
usual, your Q&A prompted my brain to function!
My
take is that a "vote" to choose among
candidates in a nonprofit setting is a failure
of a nominating process. Such an organization
has "problems" far greater than hands
v. secret ballots. I sure would not want to
be a board or staff member of such a group.
Thus,
your counsel to focus on criteria and process
was exactly correct!
Brian
E. Foss
Miami, FL
