Internal:Board election (2016)

Each year, the members of Wikimedia DC elect members to the Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for managing the business affairs of the organization in accordance with the Bylaws.

This year, three seats are up for election. Each seat will serve a two-year term ending in September 2018. Instructions for candidates and voters are presented below. Please note that these instructions are summaries; for full details of the rules governing the election process, please consult the Election Policy. Any questions regarding the election should be directed to the Election Committee at [mailto:election@wikimediadc.org election@wikimediadc.org].

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For Candidates
Eligibility: You must be a current member of Wikimedia DC as of September 13, 2016 in order to run. Any questions regarding your membership status should be directed to the Secretary at [mailto:secretary@wikimediadc.org secretary@wikimediadc.org]. You will also need to confirm that you meet certain legal requirements to serve as a Director in the District of Columbia.

In addition to the eligibility requirements, you will be asked to make public disclosures about potential conflicts of interest, relationships with other Wikimedia movement organization, and certain other factors that could affect your ability to serve as a member of the Board, or could adversely impact Wikimedia DC if you are elected.

If you refuse to make the requested disclosures, you will still be permitted to stand for election; however, your refusal will be indicated in the official election materials, and may affect your chances of winning.

Becoming a candidate: To submit your candidacy for election, please prepare a nomination package containing the following information:
 * (1) Your full legal name;
 * (2) A statement certifying that you meet the eligibility criteria listed above;
 * (3) A statement regarding each mandatory disclosure listed above; and
 * (4) A candidate statement up to five hundred (500) words in length.

The complete nomination package should be sent to the Election Committee at [mailto:election@wikimediadc.org election@wikimediadc.org]. Once the Election Committee has verified that your nomination package is complete, you will be officially certified as a candidate, and the statements you submitted will be published for the voters to review.

All nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, September 13 at 11:59 PM (EDT).


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For Voters
Eligibility: You must be a current member of Wikimedia DC as of September 13, 2016 in order to vote. Any questions regarding your membership status should be directed to the Secretary at [mailto:secretary@wikimediadc.org secretary@wikimediadc.org].

Paper ballots: All members as of September 13 will receive a ballot for voting in the election. Paper ballots will be mailed to the address on file. If your address has changed, please send your new address to the Secretary at [mailto:secretary@wikimediadc.org secretary@wikimediadc.org] by Tuesday, September 13 at 11:59 PM (EDT).

Once you fill out your ballot, you will need to return it to Wikimedia DC. The paper ballot includes a pre-addressed, stamped envelope; please use this envelope to mail your ballot for processing.

All ballots must be received by close of business Friday, October 14. Any ballot received after this time will not be counted.

Electronic ballots: If receiving a paper ballot is not convenient for you, you may request an electronic ballot instead. Requests for electronic ballots must be submitted to the Secretary at [mailto:secretary@wikimediadc.org secretary@wikimediadc.org] by Tuesday, September 13, 11:59 PM (EDT). The electronic ballot is identical to the paper ballot, and will be emailed to the email address on file.

Electronic ballots may either be printed and mailed, or emailed to the Election Committee at [mailto:election@wikimediadc.org election@wikimediadc.org]. Please be aware that, if you choose to email your ballot, the members of the Election Committee will be able to associate your individual ballot with your name. If having a secret ballot is important to you, you will need to print and mail your electronic ballot.

Candidate statements: Candidate statements are available on the candidate page. All eligible voters are invited to review the statements and to ask questions of the candidates.
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