Distribution of Campaign Literature and Campaigning
a) The Union will comply with reasonable requests by candidates to distribute campaign literature to eligible voters at the candidate’s expense. All candidates will be treated equally with respect to the cost of distributing campaign materials.
b) Candidates have the right to request a mailing(s) or emailing(s) (sorted for statewide, regional, and/or local membership). Each candidate will be charged actual cost for mailing or email set-up and processing. Candidates must pre-pay the Union for email(s). (Email blasts are generally $41.00 per email blast.) See SWO Candidate Mail and Email Procedure for more details. Candidates may purchase extra copies of the candidate statements that are mailed with the ballots (Voter’s Guide) at cost.
c) Candidates may distribute campaign literature at a union event, conference or meeting so long as the distribution does not interfere with the conduct of the conference. Campaign literature cannot be placed on the registration table of the event and cannot be included in the event materials.
d) Candidates may appear at union functions or events and speak to the members present so long as other candidates were given the opportunity to attend the function and speak.
Use of Union or Employer Funds or Facilities
A union or employer may not contribute money or anything of value (such as the use of facilities, equipment or supplies) to promote the candidacy of any candidate in a union officer election. The prohibition against the use of union or employer funds applies to any union and any employer, not just to SEIU Local 503, OPEU or to the employers with whom SEIU Local 503, OPEU has collective bargaining agreements. The use of union or employer facilities or funds is a violation even if union officials or the employer do not know about or approve of the use and even if the amount is small.
Contribution and Expenditure Reports
All SWO candidates must file Contribution and Expenditure Reports (C&E Reports) called for in Bylaws Article XV, Section 5. The first report shall be filed no later than one week prior to the mailing of ballots and the second report shall be filed no later than two (2) weeks after the deadline for receipt of ballots. Reports should be filed online at: https://forms.office.com/r/tV1AAVintX
Campaigning by Staff
Staff who are members of SEIU Local 503, OPEU may campaign on behalf of candidates if their activities do not occur during paid time or during any hours in which they are assigned to, or working on, Union business of any kind. Current officers and union employees should take vacation time or a leave of absence if they are going to campaign during work hours, especially on election day.
Inspection of Membership Lists
Candidates shall have the right, once within a thirty (30) day period prior to the election, to inspect a list containing the names and addresses of all Union members eligible to vote in the election for which the individual is a candidate. Candidates do not have the right to copy or photograph the membership list. The list(s) shall be available for inspection only at the Union’s Salem, OR, headquarters office during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Please contact elections@seiu503.org if you wish to schedule an appointment. Bylaws XV Elections, Section 3.
Observers
In mail ballot elections, candidates may have observers present when the ballot envelopes are stuffed, labeled and mailed and during regular visits to the post office to pick up and re-mail ballot packages which were returned undelivered. Observers need not be members of the union. Please contact elections@seiu503.org by December 19, 2022, if you wish to observe to ensure that you receive instructions timely prior to the count.
Challenges
A challenge to a covered election must be filed within fifteen (15) days of publication of the election(s) results and must be filed in accord with Article XV Section 4 of the Bylaws of SEIU Local 503, OPEU.
Assistance
Members may direct any election questions to elections@seiu503.org. You may also contact your organizer or the Member Assistance Center at 1-844-503-SEIU (7348).