What are the guidelines for conducting union officer elections?
Title IV of the LMRDA sets forth minimum requirements for conducting union officer elections for all labor organizations covered by the Act, regardless of whether their constitution and bylaws contain the same requirements. The election provisions under Title IV apply to national and international unions, intermediate bodies such as joint councils, and local unions. The provisions do not apply to State and local central bodies. The LMRDA election provisions require, among other things, that officers of national and international unions and intermediate bodies be elected by secret ballot among the members in good standing or by delegates chosen by secret ballot and that local union officers be elected by secret ballot among the members in good standing. Additionally, the LMRDA election provisions state that national and international unions must hold officer elections at least every five years, intermediate bodies at least every four years, and local unions at least every three years. T
