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Elections To Fill Vacancies in Office

Vacancies in office may occur for any number of reasons: death, resignation, transfer to another Sub-Chapter because of change in residence, removal from office following charges and trial procedures, or loss of eligibility for membership in the Sub-Chapter. Officers may also be removed, if provided in the Sub-Chapter constitution, for three or more consecutive unexcused absences from membership or Executive Board meetings.

There are two basic methods which may be used to fill vacant offices:

  • Election by the Executive Board.

  • Election by the membership in a special election.

If the second method is used, the notice requirements and all other rules pertaining to regular elections are in force. Sub-Chapter constitutions should provide which of these methods is to be used. If the Sub-Chapter constitution is silent on the subject, the vacancy is filled by election by the Executive Board.

Vacancies may not be filled:

  • By appointment by the President, even when that appointment requires subsequent ratification by the Executive Board or the membership.

  • By selection by the Executive Board, subject to ratification at a membership meeting. If the membership is to vote on the question, they must be given the opportunity to nominate and elect, not just vote for a Board-selected candidate or no one.

In some Sub-Chapters, if the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President automatically succeeds to the Presidency and the office of Vice President is then declared vacant and is filled. This is a perfectly proper procedure if it is spelled out in the Sub-Chapter constitution.

Whatever method is used, any person who fills a vacancy does so for the remainder of the scheduled term of office of the person he or she succeeds.

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