MAC Announces New Election Procedures Beginning in 2017

Get ready for the 2017 MAC election! Individual MAC members in good standing on January 31, 2017 can cast their votes online between February 13 and March 5, 2017.

Beginning with the 2017 election, MAC has adopted a fixed membership join/renewal date for individuals to participate in the annual election, and moved the start of the election to the second Monday in February.

Why Did MAC Adopt to a Fixed Date for Membership Joins/Renewals?

Previously MAC had a rolling date for membership, which meant that an individual could join/renew at any time throughout the year. For purposes of voting in the election, an individual could join/renew at any time during the election and still be eligible to vote. This arrangement made it difficult for MAC to determine who was actually in good standing.

Consequently, MAC has adopted a fixed date for individuals to join/renew to participate in the election. This arrangement is standard practice for many professional organizations. For example, both ALA and SAA set fixed dates by which their members must join or renew in order to vote in their elections.

When Do I Need to Join/Renew in Order to Vote?

Individuals must be in good standing on January 31, 2017 in order to participate in the election. To be in good standing, individuals must have joined or renewed their membership. Membership dues submitted by check must be postmarked January 31, 2017 or earlier. Individuals who are not in good standing on January 31, 2017 will not be eligible to vote.

Why Is the Election Starting Later This Year?

In the past, the election always started on February 1, regardless of whether that date fell on a weekend or weekday. Beginning in 2017, MAC elections will always begin on the second Monday in February. This date allows MAC time to process membership dues received by check and identify all members eligible to vote. It also aligns the start of the election with the start of a work-week.

In 2017, the election will open on Monday, February 13. Members in good standing will receive an e-mail announcement with a link to the online ballot.

How Long Is Voting Open?

The election runs from February 13 through March 5. Members will receive weekly reminders until the election closes on March 5

When Are Results Announced?

After the voting period ends, MAC’s two tellers conduct separate counts of eligible votes for each leadership position. They share results with the Secretary, who coordinates an announcement of the results with the PIO, Webmaster, and Newsletter Editor. Typically, results are announced within 10 days of the election close.

If you have questions about the election, please contact Michael Doylen, MAC Secretary, at [email protected].