In advance of the upcoming elections for the PBA’s executive board, I am writing to inform all members of the rules and procedures that govern the PBA’s election process.
Elections are run in accordance with the PBA Constitution & By-Laws (“the By-Laws”). The By-Laws require us to form a “Tellers’ Committee,” which is responsible for certifying that candidates have satisfied the requirements to run for office and to coordinate the election with the American Arbitration Association, the independent monitor that is responsible for conducting the balloting and counting votes.
The Tellers’ Committee is made up of two delegates from each borough and one citywide delegate, whose names were drawn at random at the April delegates’ meeting. In order to serve on the Tellers’ Committee, delegates must be present at the meeting when their names are drawn and must accept the assignment.
The requirements to run for PBA elective office are clearly outlined in the By-Laws. To run for one of the top five positions (President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer and Recording Secretary), a candidate must be a member of the NYPD and a member of the PBA for not less than five years; must have served as a delegate for at least two years prior to the election; and must have attended not less than 10 regular meetings in the year prior to the nomination.
To run for borough Financial Secretary, Trustee or Citywide Trustee, a candidate must be a member of the NYPD and a member of the PBA for not less than three years; must have served as a delegate for at least one year prior to the election; and must have attended not less than 10 regular meetings in the year prior to the nomination.
Candidates for all offices must submit nominating petitions bearing valid signatures of the following numbers of delegates: 25 delegate signatures for the office of President; 20 delegate signatures for the offices of First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Citywide Trustee; and 10 delegate signatures for the offices of Financial Secretary and Trustee from the borough in which they are running.
Nominating petitions must be filed with the Recording Secretary at the regular May delegates’ meeting. Following that meeting, the Tellers’ Committee will certify and announce the candidates and will arrange for ballots to be mailed to each active PBA member in late May.
It is important for all PBA members to participate in this election in order to demonstrate our solidarity and engagement, as we just did with our record-turnout contract ratification vote.
The American Arbitration Association will count the ballots on or about June 9th, and the Tellers’ Committee will publicize the results once they are certified.
Fraternally,
Edgar E. Duncan
Chairman, PBA Tellers’ Committee