Guidance on Annual ElectionsAnnual Elections
§241-8(E) of the Town of Barnstable Administrative Code
Multiple-member board internal organization. Each multiple-member board shall, at a minimum,
annually elect from its membership a chair, vice chair and clerk. Boards may further elect a
treasurer, and such other officer or officers as are deemed necessary or as is required by statute.
The annual election shall occur in July of each year, or as near after appointment of new members
by the Town Council. The Town Council shall be notified of the officers of the board upon their
election. The chair shall preside over all meetings of the board, and shall be the official
representative of the board in all proceedings before the Town Council and other officials of the
Town. The vice chair shall perform the chair's functions, in the absence of the chair. The clerk shall
be responsible for the certification of the board's meeting minutes, observance of the public records
law, and maintenance of other records of the board.
Nominations
Nominations are a prerequisite to an election.
Where no method of making nominations is designated by the rules, a motion may be made by any
member describing the method of making nominations for any office to be filled. Traditionally, most
Boards, Committees, and Commissions take nominations from the floor.
When nominations are made from the floor, any member is entitled to nominate one candidate for a
position, but no person may nominate more than one candidate if objection is raised.
Nominations need not be seconded, although seconds to nominations may be permitted.
When a sufficient number of names are proposed to fill the positions, and after allowing a reasonable
time for further nominations, it is in order to move that nominations be closed. A motion to close
nominations is not in order as long as a member entitled to make a further nomination desires to do so,
except that a member must be reasonably prompt in claiming that right.
Before proceeding to an election, the presiding officer should inquire if there are further nominations,
and if there is no response, the presiding officer may declare the nominations closed without a motion
to that effect.
Elections
After nominations have been made, the election may be conducted by vote (either roll call vote or by
division (all in favor/all opposed), depending on if meeting is remote or in-person). Names are to be
submitted to vote in the order in which they were nominated.
A majority of members present and voting is necessary to elect officers.
An election takes effect immediately upon that person’s election and acceptance.