Following this review, the subcommittee made two recommendations. First, they recommended that BEC amend the boundaries of our nine voting districts (see map with the new districts) to more evenly distribute the membership among BEC’s nine directors. More importantly, the committee recommended that the process of nominating and electing directors be improved.     

BEC has since realigned the boundaries of its nine voting districts. Prior to this change, some directors only represented several hundred members, while others represented several thousand. Each of the affected members were then notified of the change and provided the name and contact information for their new director.

Historically, BEC’s Bylaws (PDF file) only permitted one official candidate on the ballot for each voting district. This director candidate was selected at the district meeting, if there was a quorum. If there was not a quorum, the current director was automatically named as the official candidate for that district. 

The only other way a director could be elected was to be nominated from the floor during the annual meeting. In such instances, those members voting by mail would not have the opportunity to vote on candidates nominated from the floor.    

The Bylaws have now been amended to allow for multiple director candidates for a district. Furthermore, director candidates can be nominated by petition or at the district meeting. Nominations from the floor at the annual meeting will no longer be allowed.

 Early in 2008, BEC members in Districts 1, 2, and 3 will nominate director candidates for their respective districts (your voting district will be printed on the electric bill you receive in early December).

 Then, during BEC’s Annual Meeting on May 10, all of the members of BEC will have the opportunity to vote for the candidates they consider best qualified to fill these three director positions. 

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