Reference Guide for Candidates

This is a reference guide to the ISBA Policy and Procedures on Association Elections. This guide is not a substitute for a complete review of the entire policy. It is the responsibility of the candidate to comply with that Policy.

Number of Signatures Required for Each Office (Para. 3.3)

  • Third Vice President – 350 eligible signatures.
  • Board of Governors – 50 eligible signatures from the appropriate geographic area.
  • Assembly – 10 eligible signatures from the appropriate geographic area.

Nominating Petitions

The nominating petitions will be entirely electronic via the ISBA website. Candidates must generate a nominating petition on the ISBA website using the form provided on the Petition page.

  • Nominating petitions can be created and “signed” (via electronic assent on the ISBA website) on or about October 2, 2023. The nomination period closes at 4:30 p.m. on January 31, 2024. After that date nominating petitions cannot be created or signed.
  • Members will be able to view and “sign” all available nominating petitions for candidates for whom they are eligible to vote.

Required Materials

Third Vice President

  • Candidate Nominating Petition (created electronically)
  • Required number of “signatures” on Nominating Petition (350)
  • Biographical paragraph (up to 300 words) for use in ISBA print or electronic publications (Para 6.1)
  • Biographical paragraph (up to 300 words) to be used with the ballot (Para. 3.12)
  • One high resolution color photo (300 dpi minimum) in jpeg format
  • Webpage information and features (Para. 5.3)

Board of Governors

  • Candidate Nominating Petition (created electronically)
  • Required number of “signatures” on Nominating Petition (50)
  • Biographical paragraph (up to 300 words) for use in ISBA print or electronic publications (Para 5.1)
  • Biographical paragraph (up to 300 words) to be used with the ballot (Para. 3.12)
  • One high resolution color photo (300 dpi minimum) in jpeg format.
  • Webpage information and features (Para. 6.3)

Assembly

  • Candidate Nominating Petition (created electronically)
  • Required number of “signatures” on Nominating Petition (10)
  • Biographical paragraph (up to 100 words) to be used with the ballot (Para. 3.12)
  • Note: Assembly names are listed in alphabetical order in ISBA print and publications. (7.1) The biographical paragraph is used with the ballot.

Campaign Expenses and Limitations (Para. 4.14)

Campaign expenditures by each candidate for Third Vice-President shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per candidate. Campaign expenditures by each candidate for Board of Governors shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) per candidate. Campaign expenditures by each candidate for Assembly shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) per candidate. The expenditure limitations shall apply per candidate regardless of whether a candidate seeks one or more than one office in a single election. The total expenditures include expenditures by a candidate’s law firm and others at the specific request of the candidate. Travel costs and local and specialized bar association meeting expenses are excluded from this monetary limitation.

Ballot Mailing and Counting (Paras. 3.11 and 3.15)

  • Printed ballots and electronic ballots will be sent to members no earlier than March 25 and no later than April 1.
  • Paper ballots will be counted if received by 4:30 p.m. (CST) on April 30, 2024; electronic voting must be completed by 4:30 p.m. (CST) on April 30, 2024.
  • The results of the election will be announced no later than May 7, 2024.  

Important dates to remember:

  • October 2, 2023 - Petitions may be created and signed.
  • January 1, 2024 – First day to submit bio and create webpage.
  • January 31, 2024 – Last day to submit bio and create webpage.
  • January 31, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. - Petitions are closed.
  • March 1, 2024 - Member dues must be paid to be eligible to vote in ISBA Elections.
  • Voting begins no earlier than March 25 and no later than April 1, and runs through April 30 at 4:30 p.m.
  • The results of the elections will be announced no later than May 7, 2024.

Again, the information contained in this Reference Guide is not a substitute for a complete review of the ISBA Policy and Procedures on Association Elections. Candidates are responsible for a careful review of the ISBA Policy and Procedures on Association Elections.  

Questions should be directed to: Office of the Executive Director, 800.252.8908; Email kweaver@isba.org