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Union members,
An election to pick a president for Local 406 will be Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 246 Conklin St. in Farmingdale. Despite best efforts to make voting easier for Local 406 members, voting in this particular election must be done in person or by absentee ballot. Under our constitution, some members may request mail-in absentee ballots. Because of the nature of the election, it will be run by Honest Ballot of Floral Park, Queens.
To vote in person, go to 246 Conklin St., Farmingdale. The polls will be in the meeting house in the back. Be prepared to show state identification like a driver license or state ID.
For those who need an absentee ballot (Please request by Monday, Oct. 31) here is the guide from the Local 406 Constitution and Bylaws:
Absentee ballots will be given only to members who cannot vote at the voting polls because: (a) on vacation (b) working on an out-of-town assignment or in a bureau (c) out of work due to long termillness or disability of at least one week as of ten days prior to said election (17 days total).
No remote electronic voting this time. There can be no remote online voting through the Local 406 website for this particular election because it is an officer election that must be done by secret ballot. After consulting with a U.S. Labor Department lawyer, the USDoL union election guide, GCC/IBT President Kurt Freeman, and Local 406 attorney Marty Glennon, I was advised that Local 406 should use the same voting practice for selecting officers that it has used for past years.
Why no remote voting? Online voting in officer elections is not recommended because the background databases used in online voting have time stamps that keep track of when a vote is cast. Those who are motivated can get access to such databases and figure out what or for whom a vote was cast, the USDoL says. Voting companies can say the vote is secure, but this has not held up under challenge. Remote voting can still be used for ratification of contracts and mergers.
Absentee ballots are being sent to members in the Albany and Washington bureaus as well as sports reporters who are on the road. If you are going to be on vacation on Nov. 7, on the road on an assignment, or out of work on disability, please request a ballot by Monday, Oct. 31. The fastest way is to contact Secretary-Treasurer Liisa May by text at 631.806.9087. Your name will be added to a ballot-request database, and a ballot with secure envelopes mailed to you. Please fill out the ballot and return it to Honest Ballot of Floral Park, whose address will be on the envelopes.
The ballots must be returned to Honest Ballot by Monday Nov. 14, 2022, when they will be counted with the other votes and a certified tally reported.
Please plan to vote.
In unity,
Liisa M. May
Secretary-Treasurer Local 406 GCC/IBT
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