MARCH VFW POST MEETING

• Decide which form of election will be used (Secret Ballot, Show of Hands, Poll System, etc.), unless specified by Post By-Laws.
• If Secret Ballot is chosen, appoint an Election Committee: 2 Tellers and 1 Judge.
• Under New Business, open nominations for Post Officers for the ensuing VFW year in this order:
  • Commander
  • Senior Vice Commander
  • Junior Vice Commander
  • Quartermaster
  • Trustee(s)
• Nominations made one at a time; each Nominee asked if they accept the nomination.
• Close nominations until the April Membership Meeting where nominations will reopen and elections will be conducted.

APRIL VFW POST MEETING

• Election of Officers is the business in order.
• No member may enter or leave the room during the election of any one Officer, unless for valid reasons.
• Order of elections:
  • Commander
  • Senior Vice Commander
  • Junior Vice Commander
  • Quartermaster
  • Trustee(s)
• Announce previous nominations, reopen nominations.
• Each nominee asked if they accept the nomination.
• Close nominations after asking three times:
  "Is there any other nomination? Is there any other nomination? Is there any other nomination?”
• Allow candidates to briefly address membership on their pledge of service.
• If only one nominee for an office:
  • Commander declares them elected by acclamation.
  • Example:
    "Hearing no further nominations, I hereby declare [Name] elected by acclamation as [Title] for the ensuing year.”
  • Officer-elect responds with acceptance.

Ballot Results Procedure

• Election Committee Judge announces the vote count to the Commander:
  "Comrade Commander, the number of votes cast was ___. The number necessary for election is ___. Candidate A received ___ votes, Candidate B received ___ votes.”
• Report is signed by all Tellers and given to the Commander.
• Commander formally announces results, repeating figures.