How will the election be run?

The election will be run by a secure third-party company that specializes in voting software to ensure an impartial election of Fraternity officers and District Directors. The election will be overseen by the Election Committee, an appointed group of Kappa volunteers. The third-party election company will be responsible for administering the election through the validation of voters, distributing ballots and counting votes.

What can I expect as a voter going through the election process?

Credentialed voters will receive information about how to participate in the election in March after credentialing closes. After that, the Election Committee will pass the credentialed voter information to the third-party election company.

Credentialed voters will receive emails directly from the election company with information on how to access the voting site, including login credentials, in order to participate in the election.

How will the open nomination process work?

The open nomination process will launch immediately following the announcement of the slated candidates. That email in which the slate is announced will detail how to participate in the open nomination process. Open nominations can only be submitted by eligible voters per the Fraternity Bylaws. Once an individual is nominated, the nominee may then be required to complete a form to share relevant information so their consent to serve, qualifications and eligibility may be confirmed. Nominees who are not qualified or not eligible per the Fraternity Bylaws will not appear on the ballot. Biographical information shared by the nominee will be shared with voters.

How will voters be able to learn about the candidates?

The qualifications of all candidates who are qualified and eligible will be shared on the election site. Each candidate will have a brief biography with information about their qualifications.

Who is an eligible voter?

Per the Fraternity Bylaws, Article VIII. Section 2. E, the following members are eligible to vote in the Fraternity officer and District Director election after they have been credentialed as delegates:

• Fraternity Council members
• District Directors
• Chairs of standing committees
• Content Directors
• One delegate from each chapter
• One delegate from each alumnae association

According to Fraternity Bylaws, Article V. Section 8, associations and chapters must be in financial good standing in order to vote.

How do I nominate someone if I am not an eligible voter?

If you are interested in referring a member as an open nominee, we recommend reaching out to your chapter’s or association’s credentialed delegate or another eligible voter.

What does it mean to be eligible and qualified for an elected position?

Per the Fraternity Bylaws, a member meeting all member standards and responsibilities, academic, financial and conduct, and not under any accountability outcome is a member in good standing and, therefore, eligible for any elected, appointed, or volunteer position within the Fraternity.

Individuals qualified for election to a District Director position or Fraternity Council shall be alumna members who have formerly served the Fraternity within the past 10 years in any one of the following positions: 1) member of Fraternity Council; 2) Regional Director or Province Director; 3) District Director or Content Director; 4) Content Specialist; 5) chair or member of a Fraternity Standing or Special committee; 6) Fraternity Council Assistant; 7) Field Representative; 8) member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation Board of Trustees; or 9) member of the Fraternity Housing Corporation Board of Directors.

What is the deadline to submit an open nomination?

Open nominations from eligible voters will be permitted for a minimum of 10 days following the announcement of the slate, per the requirement stated in the Fraternity Bylaws, Article VII. Section 1. E. Consent must be obtained from the nominee, and they must be qualified and eligible.

Are voters expected to vote for the slated candidates?

We recommend that each voter review and educate themselves on the candidates once that information is released in order to make an informed decision. Biographical information about each candidate will be included on the election site as well as on the Kappa website. We also expect that delegates will discuss the candidates with the group of Kappas they represent, such as their chapter or alumnae association, and vote according to the wishes of their respective group.

Does the election delegate need to be the same person as the Convention delegate?

No, this does not need to be the same person. Per the Fraternity Policies, the chapter President and Alumna Association President shall be the election voting delegate, unless they are excused by the District Director during the credentialing process. There will be a credentialing process for delegates who will attend General Convention and participate in voting in person during Convention. The alumnae association/chapter President should be available during the election window to virtually cast their ballot. If they are not, they must be excused by the District Director and another delegate should be selected.

How will open nominations be handled?

After the slated candidates are announced, the open nomination period will launch. Details of how to participate in the process will be shared via email.

Please keep in mind that nominations can only be submitted by eligible voters per the Fraternity Bylaws. If they haven’t already, nominees will be required to complete the Leadership Selection Application and share relevant information so the consent, qualifications and eligibility of the nominee may be confirmed. Nominees who are not qualified or not eligible will not appear on the ballot as they would not be qualified or eligible to be an elected officer.

Per the Fraternity Bylaws, the open nomination process will last for 10 days.

How will the candidates’ qualifications be shared?

Qualifications of all candidates who are qualified and eligible (including those submitted through the open nomination process) will be shared on the election site. Each candidate will have a biography with information about their qualifications. For candidates who were not slated, the Election Committee will be relying on the information provided through the open nomination process.

How will the results be certified?

Kappa’s trusted third-party election vendor will certify the election results and then provide them to the Election Committee. The results will be shared with the membership within five days of the close of the election.

Will the election software be tested?

Yes, the election will be tested vigorously prior to the election launching. It will be initially tested once the slated candidates are released and can be entered into the election system. It will then be tested again following the open nomination period once all candidates are finalized and can be added to the ballot.

How will I know my ballot will be kept private?

The chosen election vendor’s systems provide strict voter secrecy. Voter identity, required for security purposes, is retained separately and distinct from the contents of the ballot. No one, not even an employee at the company, can identify the vote of any individual. This is accomplished without compromising the ability to verify accuracy or conduct an audit.

The voter’s identity and actual vote selection are separated in a manner that prevents them from being rejoined. This measure guarantees that neither the election host nor a third party is able to determine the way in which a voter votes.

How will the election provider confirm that only credentialed delegates will cast votes?

Credentialed delegates will be provided a unique set of credentials that will be used by the voting website to confirm their identity.

How will I know my vote has been cast and counted?

After submitting your ballot, you will receive a confirmation message affirming that your ballot has been received.

How can the election vendor prevent individuals from voting multiple times?

Each ballot contains a unique, tamper-proof, modulus 10 check digit number (unique identifier) to guard against tampering and duplication. Each unique identifier is disabled immediately after a ballot is processed. This prevents the number from being used to log into the voting website again or submit multiple ballots. This ensures only one vote per member.

Can I change my vote after casting it?

After you make your selections using the internet voting website, a confirmation screen will be displayed. At that time, you will review your selections and may either make a change or submit your ballot for processing. Once your ballot is submitted, it cannot be changed.

When will the election results be shared?

Election results will be shared after the election is completed. Per the Fraternity Bylaws, these will be shared no later than May 5.

Does my ballot need to be completed all at one time?

The ballot does need to be submitted at once. You are not able to work on it and then return to it later.

I am concerned about my Wi-Fi connectivity. What should I do?

Wi-Fi is needed to participate in the election. As the election runs for over one week, voting delegates should plan to find reliable Wi-Fi during that period to cast their ballot. 

When will we be able to see the ballot?

The ballot will not be accessible until the election starts.

Will the vote be weighted?

Per the Fraternity Bylaws, if the total number of ballots cast by credentialed alumnae association delegates exceeds the total number of ballots cast by credentialed chapter delegates, the value of the alumnae associations’ total vote for any elected position shall be reduced by the proportion of credentialed chapter delegate ballots to credentialed alumnae association delegate ballots.

How is it determined who wins the election?

The candidate for each officer and District Director position receiving the most votes shall be elected.

What is the runoff procedure?

In the event a runoff is needed, a runoff election will be held immediately following the initial election period. The runoff election would be announced to voting delegates via email.

What will happen if someone is elected to more than one position? 

In the event a candidate is elected to multiple positions, the Election Committee will contact them directly to share those results. The candidate will then get to choose which position they would like to accept.

For any members who are not elected, how can they volunteer for an appointed role?

We welcome any members who are interested in volunteering in an appointed position to complete the Volunteer Interest Form to share their interest. This form must be completed by May 17.