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Article
I:
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Name |
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Section
One |
This
Union shall be named the Protective Services Employees
Coalition, Inc. the "Union"
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Section
Two
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This Union
is affiliated with the International Union of Police
Associations, AFL-CIO, and the International Association of
Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO |
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Section
Three
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This Union
is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, the Connecticut State Labor
Council and the appropriate local labor councils.
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Article II
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Objectives
and Principles |
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Section
One |
The
objectives and principles of the Union are: |
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(a) to aid
bargaining unit employees in obtaining fair and improved
wages, hours of work and working conditions;
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(b) to
support and cooperate with state and municipal labor
organizations and other workers on obtaining mutual
goals and benefits;
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(c) to
promote, protect and advance the principles of collective
bargaining
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(d) to
encourage all bargaining unit employees, without
discrimination against any person; or group, to join and
participate in all activities of this labor Union; |
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(e) to secure
legislation and administration action which will safeguard and
promote the goals of state and municipal employees and the
security, strength and vitality of state and municipal
employment and collective bargaining;
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(f) to
protect and strengthen our democratic institutions, the labor
movement in general and the aims and goals of the American
Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations,
AFL-CIO;
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(g) to
safeguard the democratic character of the labor movement and
to protect the autonomy of this Union;
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(h) to
encourage and support the purchase of union goods and
services;
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(i) to
support the parent labor organizations in their efforts to
improve the well being of public employees.
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| Section
Two |
The
methods of obtaining the objectives of the Union shall be: |
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(a)
the collective bargaining process; |
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(b)
legislative action and reform; |
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(c)
advocacy and public relations; |
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(d)
concerted activities |
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(e)
political action and education; |
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(f)
coordinated activities by and between affiliated unions of the
AFL-CIO. |
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| Section
Three |
The
powers of the Union shall include: |
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(a)
all those regulatory, executive and judicial powers provided
or permissible under state and federal labor legislation or
general statute; |
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(b)
the power to decide or adjudicate all questions arising under
this Constitution relating to the rights, privileges and
obligations of committees and other subordinate bodies; |
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(c)
the power to decide all questions arising under Constitution
relating to membership and member status; |
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(d)
all powers necessary and proper to maintain and preserve the
status of the Union as the recognized and certified bargaining
agent, where applicable; |
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(e)
the power to affiliate or disaffiliate with any organization,
federation or coalition as deemed necessary; |
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(f)
the power to raise other revenues in any fashion consistent
with the laws of the State of Connecticut and any other
federal or state labor laws; |
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(g)
the power to invest its revenues, levy and adjust dues and
assessments, and take ownership or title in real or personal
property and to borrow monies from any institutional lender; |
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(h)
the power to employ and retain such professional and
administrative staff as is deemed necessary; |
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(i)
the power to create and execute contracts for the benefit of
the membership; |
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(j)
the power to amend the Constitution; |
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(k)
the power to litigate, arbitrate and otherwise represent the
membership in matters of labor relations and general
administration; |
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(l)
the power to institute activities and programs consistent
with, and pursuant to, the methods specified in Section Two of
this Article.
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| Article
III |
Membership |
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| Section
One |
(a)
Active membership shall be available to all employees of the
State of Connecticut whose job titles fall within |
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(b)
An active member shall be a current NP-5 bargaining unit
employee who has signed and filed with the Union a membership
application. |
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| Section
Two |
(a)
Only active members shall have the right to vote on Union
matters, including, but not limited to, a contract
ratification; |
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(b)
Only active members shall serve as officers or on committees
of the Union. |
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| Section
Three |
A
retiree membership shall be available to all persons who have
retired from state service, having served in a job
classification falling within the Union bargaining unit at the
time of their retirement. All retiree members shall be a
member of the Protective Services Retirees Association which
shall be a standing committee of the Union, and whose members
shall be entitled to vote on any matter pending before the
Retirees Association, but shall not be entitled to vote on
matters pending before the Union. The President of the
Retirees Association, who shall for the initial term, be
appointed by the President of the Union, shall be elected in
accordance with the by-laws to be established under Article V,
Section 7. The President of the Retirees Association shall be
a non-voting Vice-President of the Union's Executive Board as
described in Article IV, Section 4.
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| Article
IV |
Officers |
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| Section
One |
Composition
of Officers: |
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(a)
A President, to be elected in accordance with Article VI,
Elections, and who shall serve for a four-year term
implemented as a three-year term beginning in 2006 followed by
four-year terms beginning in 2009; |
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(b)
An Executive Vice President, to be elected in accordance with
Article VI, Elections, and who shall serve for a four-year
term implemented as a three-year term beginning in 2006
followed by four-year terms beginning in 2009; |
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(c)
A Vice President, elected as President of Local 74 of the
International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO; |
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(d)
A Vice President, elected as President of Local S-15 of the
International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO; |
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(e)
A First Vice President, elected as First Vice President of
Local 74 of the International Union of Police Associations,
AFL-CIO |
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(f)
A First Vice President, elected as First Vice President of
Local S-15 of the International Association of Fire Fighters,
AFL-CIO |
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(g)
A Secretary/Treasurer, elected in accordance with Article VI,
Elections, and who shall serve for a four-year term
implemented as a three-year term beginning in 2006 followed by
four-year terms beginning in 2009; |
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| Section
Two |
No
person shall simultaneously hold more than one of the
foregoing offices. |
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| Section
Three |
The
President shall be the chief executive officer of the Union
and shall be responsible for the daily activities thereof. The
President is empowered to execute documents and obligations
and bind the body, subject to the limitations set by this
Constitution and the Annual Convention and approval of the
Executive Board. The President shall act as the official
spokesperson for the Union, shall serve as ex-officio on all
Union committees, and shall be entitled to be a delegate to
any convention or meeting at which the Union is allotted
representation. The President may appoint Vice Presidents to
the Executive Board as outlined in Article V, Section Seven,
and shall have the power to remove such appointees. The
President may appoint Stewards as many as permitted by the
provisions of the NP-5 Collective Bargaining Agreement and
shall have the power to remove such appointees for cause
subject to approval of the Executive Board. |
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| Section
Four |
The
Executive Vice President shall be the senior Vice President
and, in the absence or disability of the President shall,
assume such powers as are ascribed to the President. In the
event of death, retirement, resignation or recall of the
President from office, the Executive Vice President shall
succeed the President for the un-expired portion of the
President's term. The Executive Vice President shall discharge
such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President,
Annual Convention or Executive Board. |
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| Section
Five |
(a)
The IUPA Vice President shall be the President of Local 74 of
the International Union of Police Associations and shall be
elected under the provisions of their By-Laws. The IUPA Vice
President shall be responsible for all internal relations with
the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO. The
IUPA Vice President shall discharge such other duties as may
be assigned to him/her by the Annual Convention, Executive
Board or the President. |
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(b)
The IAFF Vice President shall be the President of Local S-15
of the International Association of Fire Fighters and shall be
elected under the provisions of their By-Laws. The IAFF Vice
President shall be responsible for all internal relations with
the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO. The
IAFF Vice President shall discharge such other duties as may
be assigned to him/her by the Annual Convention, Executive
Board or the President. |
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| Section
Six |
(a)
The IUPA First Vice President shall be the First Vice
President of Local 74 of the International Union of Police
Associations and shall be elected under their By-Laws. The
IUPA First Vice President shall assist the IUPA Vice President
in handling internal relations with the International Union of
Police Associations, AFL-CIO. The IUPA First Vice President
shall discharge such other duties as may be assigned to
him/her by the Annual Convention, Executive Board or the
President. |
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(b)
The IAFF First Vice President shall be the First Vice
President of Local S-15 of the International Association of
Fire Fighters and shall be elected under their By-Laws. The
IAFF First Vice President shall assist the IAFF Vice President
shall assist the IAFF Vice President in handling internal
relations with the International Association of Fire Fighters,
AFL-CIO. The IAFF First Vice President shall discharge such
other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Annual
Convention, Executive Board or the President. |
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| Section
Seven |
The
Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for the recording,
compiling and maintaining of all minutes of meetings of the
Executive Board and the Annual Convention, and shall be
responsible for the maintenance of all other official Union
records and documents. He/She shall be responsible for the
fiscal affairs of the Union and for all matters pertaining to
the current budget. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be
responsible for the timely payment of all required dues, fees
and obligations to labor federations or councils with which
the Union of affiliated. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be
responsible for the collection of revenues and for the
authorized disbursement of Union funds. The
Secretary/Treasurer shall serve as acting President during the
simultaneous absence or disability of the President and
Executive Vice President. |
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| Section
Eight |
The
President, Executive Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer
shall be elected in a manner provided in Article VI for a term
of four years and until their successors have been elected and
have assumed office. |
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| Section
Nine |
(a)
A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled in
the manner provided in Section Five of this Article |
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(b)
A vacancy in the office of Executive Vice President due to
death, retirement, resignation or recall from the office shall
be filled by the Secretary/Treasurer for the un-expired
portion of the term being filled. |
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(c)
A vacancy in the office of the Secretary/Treasurer due to
death, retirement, resignation or recall from the office shall
be filled by appointment of the Executive Board for the
un-expired portion of the term being filled. |
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| Section
Ten |
A
vacancy in the office of the IUPA Vice President or the IUPA
First Vice President will be filled by virtue of the filling
of the underlying vacancy in the office of President or First
Vice President of Local 74 of the International Union of
Police Associations in accordance with the Constitution and
By-Laws of the Local 74 of the International Union of Police
Associations, AFL-CIO. |
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| Section
Eleven |
A
vacancy in the office of IAFF Vice President or IAFF First
Vice President will be filled by virtue of the filling of the
underlying vacancy in the office of President or First Vice
President of Local S-15 of the International Association of
Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO, in accordance with the Constitution
and By-Laws of the Local S-15 of the International Association
of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO. |
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| Section
Twelve |
Before
assuming office; each officer shall take the following oath of
office: "I, _________, do solemnly swear that my every
action as an officer of the Protective Services Employees
Coalition, Inc., will be taken according to my best judgment,
for the benefit of its members; and that I will adhere to the
Constitution and By-Laws of this Union and the principles of
the labor movement."
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| Article
V |
Executive
Board |
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| Section
One |
The
Executive Board shall consist of seven (7) members and shall
include the President, Executive Vice President,
Secretary/Treasurer, IUPA Vice President, and IAFF Vice
President, IUPA First Vice President, and IAFF First Vice
President, who shall each have one vote. An Executive Board
Member shall serve until the next Annual Convention at which
time, and thereafter at each Annual Convention, such Executive
Board member's Executive Board membership shall be
automatically renewed for successive one year terms for so
long as such Executive Board member continues to serve in the
officer position which entitled him or her to his or her
initial membership on the Executive Board. |
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| Section
Two |
The
Executive Board shall have sole authority to exercise all the
powers of the Union delineated in Article II of this
Constitution, with the exception of the following powers which
shall be reserved to the Annual Convention exclusively: the
powers specified in Article II, Section Three, subsection (j)
and Article VII, Section Six. |
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| Section
Three |
The
Executive Board shall meet monthly to attend all appropriate
matters of Union business. Special meetings of the Executive
Board shall be convened forthwith upon the call of the
President or upon petition of a majority of the Executive
Board submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer. |
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| Section
Four |
All
meetings of the Executive Board shall be chaired by the
President. The Chair shall be permitted to vote on any matter
before the Executive Board. |
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| Section
Five |
At
any meeting of the Executive Board, a quorum must be present
and shall consist of a majority of the Executive Board,
excluding any current vacancies that may exist. |
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| Section
Six |
All
meetings of the Executive Board shall be conducted in a polite
and professional manner guided by Roberts Rules of Order. |
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| Section
Seven |
The
President may appoint up to six Vice Presidents who may be
required to report to the Executive Board. Each Vice President
shall be assigned to one of the following jurisdictions:
Organizing, AFL-CIO Liaison, Member Services, Legislative
Affairs, Safety and Education, Communications and Public
Relations. |
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| Section
Eight |
The
Executive Board shall have the power to determine the amount
and method of payment of all membership dues or fees for
Retiree membership. A separate accounting of such funds will
be maintained by the Secretary/Treasurer. The
Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for overseeing the
fiscal affairs of the Retirees Association, and at his/her
discretion, any or all of the fiscal responsibilities may be
delegated to an active "Retiree" member. The
Executive Board shall have the authority to review and
determine any by-laws for the Retirees Association.
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| Article
VI |
Elections |
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| Section
One |
Any
active member may be nominated for any elective office or
position by having a letter of candidacy filed with the
Secretary, who shall give a receipt for such letter. The
nomination must be seconded by at least one other active
member. The letter must be filed at least sixty (60) days
before the Annual Convention. A list of candidates so
nominated, and a mail in ballot, if more than one candidate is
nominated for an office or position specifying the office or
position sought by each, shall be mailed to each active member
at least forty-five (45) days before the Annual Convention.
When there is more than one candidate for any position, the
President shall organize not fewer than four (4) meetings, at
various locations, for the purpose of allowing the candidates
to present themselves before the membership. These meetings
shall be located and scheduled with the intent of allowing
maximum reasonable opportunity for the members to meet the
candidates. These meetings shall be scheduled not more than
fifty-nine (59) and not fewer than forty-five (45) days before
the Annual Convention. |
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| Section
Two |
Each
Officer shall be elected by a plurality of the total votes
cast in accordance with Section Three of this Article. In the
event that a candidate is unopposed, said candidate shall be
removed from the ballot, but not the list, specified in
Section One of Article VI. Said candidate shall be elected by
a single vote cast by the Secretary at the Annual Convention.
In the event that all candidates are unopposed, ballots shall
not be distributed, and only a list of said candidates shall
be mailed to members as specified in Article VI, Section One.
The election of candidates, in such an instance, shall be
effectuated by a single vote cast by the Secretary at the
Annual Convention and the four (4) meetings specified in
Section One of Article VI may be waived. |
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| Section
Three |
In
elections, when more than one candidate is nominated for an
office or post, the Secretary shall cause to be printed
ballots listing each office to be filled and each candidate
for such office. Only active members will be allowed to vote.
Election of Officers shall be done by secret ballot. Each
active member shall be allowed one ballot. The mailing,
accounting and tabulation of ballots shall be administered by
a competent, independent body retained for this purpose in
accordance with Section Four of this Article. Ballots shall be
mailed to the address of record for each active member,
allowing not less than fifteen (15) calendar days for the
return of the ballot from the date of mailing by the
administering body, as determined by postmark. The deadline
date shall be clearly indicated on each ballot. The postmark
on the voting ballot envelope shall be used to determine
whether the ballot is timely. Only ballots postmarked by the
deadline shall be counted. Voting ballots received more than
five (5) calendar days after the deadline shall not be
counted, irrespective of the postmark. |
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| Section
Four |
(a)
An active member who can demonstrate and certify that he/she
is assigned to a bargaining unit work site, on the date and
time of the Annual Convention may request an absentee ballot,
if such a request is made not fewer than ten (10) days in
advance of the convention. |
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(b)
The Executive Board shall, select and retain the services of a
competent, independent body to conduct and certify the
election of Officers, hereinafter referred to as the Election
Administrator. This Election Administrator shall distribute
and receive ballots, and tabulate and certify the results of
the election. The Election Administrator shall keep the
results secret and turn them over to eh Election Umpire on the
day of the Annual Convention not later than close of business,
except as authorized in Article VI Section Four Subsection (e)
of this Constitution. |
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(c)
The President shall appoint one active member as an Election
Umpire who shall oversee the administration of the election
and ensure that the process is conducted in accordance with
this Constitution. Said Umpire shall address any
irregularities and shall report to the Executive Board. The
Executive Board shall appoint two active members as
Parliamentarians. The Parliamentarians shall assist the
Election Umpire. |
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(d)
The Election Umpire shall present the results of the election
to the members at the Annual Convention. |
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(e)
In the event of a tie between candidates for the same office
sought, the Election Administrator shall notify the Election
Umpire that a runoff election is needed and shall identify the
candidates and the post, not later than fifteen (15) calendar
days before the Annual Convention. The Election Umpire shall
then cause noticed to be mailed not later than ten (10) days
before the Annual Convention, to all active members' addresses
of record, advising them that a runoff election shall be
conducted at the Annual Convention, the tied candidates' names
and the post sought. If there is a need for a runoff election
at the convention, the plurality of present members shall
prevail. The term plurality, as used in this Article, shall
mean the largest number of votes. The runoff election shall be
administered pursuant to Article VI, Section Five of this
Constitution. |
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