Elections 2012 - Read here first.

It's election season in the USNW. This means Full Members can run for ministry positions or executive cabinet offices, and BAT, Ambassadorial, and Full Members can democratically vote on who should they want to be the next leader or minister.

Here's how it works. If you are a full member (this means your name is the burnt red color), you can run for as many ministries that you think you can handle. You can also run for an executive cabinet office (Chancellor, First Minister, or Executive Secretary), but if you do, you have to choose one of those three (i.e., you can't run for Chancellor and Executive Secretary, you have to choose one).

To run for office, you need to have a campaigning thread ready to go. Create this somewhere in this subforum saying something like "(name) for (position)". You can post your plans in office, your campaign signatures, avatars, etc. in that thread. Have one thread for each position. On January 4, your thread will be locked. If you don't create a thread by the January 4 deadline, you will NOT be in the polls, even if you are the incumbent. After this will be debates. Moderators will be chosen by the administration for each of the three executive debates, which will take place on January 7 and 13. All debates will take place over Skype. Debates for ministries will be moderated by K50 and will take place on January 7 and 13. It is not required to show up to each of these debates even if you are running, but it is highly recommended. Times will be announced when we are ready.

Election day: Tuesday, January 17, 2011 (polls close the following Thursday, the 19th).

Regarding the above, there are a few guidelines. Please don't throw someone who is running against you (or anyone in the SCC or RL for that matter) into the dirt. We are all friends here, don't go slamming on them. Any content like that will be removed. Also, you may not go around asking people what they voted during the voting stage. Do NOT tell ANYBODY what you voted, unless an admin asks you after the voting is closed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Has anything changed since last time?
Yes. There are now debates in the elections, which are a new initiation in election in any union. There will also be no more write-in votes.

Am I eligible to run?
That's a good question the eligibility list will answer.

I've been an Ambassadorial Member for three months. Can I apply for full membership and be able to run for a ministry?
Yes. This was a very common trend in the last elections, and probably will be again. Check the eligibility list to make sure you aren't running for nothing, however.

What is a majority in these elections?
Unlike the International Assembly where a 2/3 majority is required, any majority will win the elections. If someone receives 8 votes (at this point in time, that is just over 50% of the union), they will clinch the position and the polls will be closed with immediate effect. If someone does not receive 8 votes but has more than the other person running, they will win the poll.

What happens in ties, and/or can I get a recount?
In ties or in extremely close elections where it is requested, recounts will be awarded. They will be a shorter poll (only open half as long as the initial polls). The winner of the recount will win the elections. Only one recount can be awarded. Ties in recounts that were requested will be won by whoever won the first poll. Ties in recounts affected by a tie in the first poll are extremely rare and unanticipated and will be dealt with when they happen.

Can I be a moderator for a debate?
Not if you ask. The privilege of being a moderator will be given to members who we find impartial and who we find would do well in managing a situation if it comes up

How and when will the debates take place?
Debates will take place over Skype on the dates posted. Times will be announced when all of the members running can attend. Debates will be public to the USNW and will strictly prohibit people in other unions, even if they are observers here.