TROOP 464 ELECTION

• Troop elections will be held every six months (typically in the months of September and March)

• A majority of the Troop or Patrol may request a new election , at any time (subject toScoutmaster approval).
• New Troop officers are are elected by all scouts who are members in good standing of Troop 464 using paper ballots to vote.  Newly-elected officers  serve (unless removed for cause by the Scoutmaster or a majority of the scouts registered and in good standing in the troop) until the next scheduled Troop election.
• Junior Leader Training will be scheduled at the Scoutmaster or Committee's convenience, but as soon as feasible, following each Troop election.
• All Troop Staff positions are filled subject to ratification by the Scoutmaster, current SPL, Advancement Chair and other adult leaders according to the type of position.
• All Troop Staff applicants must be current in all Troop payments (i.e. dues, fees, fines).
• Troop Staff Position Job Descriptions can be found at: http://usscouts.org/clipart/ScoutDoc/Troops/TroopPositions.doc  Please note that it is the responsibility of the scout himself to read, understand, and be willing to fully carry out the duties set forth in the job description before choosing to run for a position.    
• Troop Staff to be elected at the Troop Level must adhere to the election process outlined below.  These positions include:

Senior Patrol Leader - elected by a majority vote of all registered Scouts present at the election.  Scouts eligible to run for the position of Senior Patrol Leader must have previously successfully completed a term as a Patrol Leader or as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders – One is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader and the second and/or third is/are elected by the Troop.

Librarian - Elected by Troop

Historian - Elected by Troop

Chaplain's Aide - Elected by Troop

Troop Scribe – Elected by Troop

Troop Quartermaster - Elected by Troop

Troop Bugler – elected by Troop

·         Individual Patrol Leaders are considered to be troop staff but are elected by a majority vote of only those registered Scouts who are members of the given patrol and who are present at the election.  Scouts elected as patrol leaders are, however, not required to fill out the application for leadership position form.

Election Process

Prior to troop elections, all scouts who wish to run for any of troop-level position (except individual Patrol Leader) must complete an Application for Leadership Position . These forms will be due no later than two weeks (or another period of time specified by the Scoutmaster) prior to the election.  The Scoutmaster, current SPL, Advancement Chair and other adult leaders will review the applications and determine whether those scouts who have applied are qualified to seek election to the specific positions for which they have applied.  Scouts will be notified concerning their eligibility for those positions for which they have applied.

General Requirements for Elections

1.  All candidates must have prior approval from the adult leadership (identified in the preceding paragraph above) before running for office by completing the Application for Leadership Position at least two weeks in advance of the election.  A scout can select up to three different positions for which he would like to be considered on the application form, but is not required to choose more than one position if that is his preference. An individual scout cannot, however, run for any office that is not listed on his application; it is recommended that all candidates list at least two choices to increase the likelihood of obtaining a position.

2.  If a scout does not get elected to his first choice of Troop office, he will automatically be considered for his second and third choices if he has so indicated on the application.

3.  All candidates must present themselves in full uniform on the evening of Troop elections to run for office regardless of whether or not the scout has has received prior approval for his candidacy by the Scoutmaster.

4.  All candidates must arrive on time for the opening ceremony on election night.

5.  A scout may not be elected to more than one troop position at a time unless approved by the Scoutmaster.

6.  A scout may not be elected to a troop position and a patrol position simultaneously, unless approved by the Scoutmaster.  The exceptions to this are for the SPL and the ASPL, who are not associated with any patrol, and can never therefore serve simultaneously in two Troop positions.

7.  A scout may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same Troop position unless approved by the Scoutmaster.

8.  Any exception to the age and/or rank requirements for any Troop- or Patrol-level position issubject to approval by the Scoutmaster.

Election Protocol

1.   The Scoutmaster will appoint a minimum of three adult leaders to a teller committee to collect and count ballots.  A simple majority (51%) will determine the winner for troop positions; a simple plurality is required for patrol positions.  In the event that none of the candidates for a given Troop office receive a majority of votes, a runoff will take place between the two candidates with the greatest numbers of votes.

2.  Each scout running for the position of Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) will deliver a campaign speech; the scouts in the Troop will then vote for one of the candidates for that office. The teller committee will then collect ballots, count the votes, and announce the election results.   If needed , a runoff will take place immediately.

3.  The newly-elected Senior Patrol Leader will next announce his choice for Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPLs).  The scout selected by the SPL  may choose to decline the office of ASPL, in which case the SPL will indicate his next choice.

4.  Each scout running for the remaining Troop leadership positions will deliver  a campaign speech and then the Troop will vote for each position using paper ballots. The teller committee will collect and count the votes and announce the result of the election.  If necessary, a runoff will take place immediately for any position in which a single candidate did not receive a majority of the votes cast.

5.  Each patrol will conduct an election for Patrol Leader (PL). Candidates will deliver a speech and the patrol will vote.  The teller committee will collect ballots and count votes. The candidate with the most votes (a plurality) will be the winner.  In the event of a tie, a runoff will be held between the top two candidates.  If an unbreakable tie occurs (for example, 4 vs. 4 in a patrol of 8 scouts), the Scoutmaster, in consultation with the SPL will determine the outcome.  The newly-elected Patrol Leader will then announce his choice for Assistant Patrol Leader (APL).  A scout may decline the position of APL, in which case the PL will indicate his second choice.

6.  Each scout running for the remaining patrol positions will deliver a campaign speech, then the patrol will vote for each position using paper ballots.  The teller committee will collect ballots and count votes, then announce the result.  In the event of a tie for any patrol position, a runoff will be held between the top two candidates.  If unbreakable tie occurs (for example, 4 vs. 4 in a patrol of 8 scouts), the Scoutmaster, in consultation with the SPL, will determine the outcome.

Please note that it is the responsibility of the scout himself to read, understand, and be willing to fully carry out the duties set forth in the job description before choosing to run for a position.    It is the duty of the scout himself to know what his daily and weekend activities and responsibilities include in order to make sure that he can meet his commitment to the troop.  For Troop and Patrol Officer descriptions click on this link:

http://usscouts.org/clipart/ScoutDoc/Troops/TroopPositions.doc