Provincial Executive

Elections

Summary of Upcoming Spring 2027 Provincial Executive Elections

NSTU Guidebook Excerpt

CONSTITUTION Section II – By-Laws of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union

Article III – Provincial Executive

4. Elections

1. 1. The President shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire Active and Reserve Membership following the process outlined in Operational Procedures.

   2. The First Vice-President shall be elected by a majority vote conducted at Annual Council following the process outlined in Operational Procedures.

   3. The Second Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected by the Provincial Executive at a meeting prior to the commencement of the term of office from amongst the Regional Members, African Nova Scotian Member, and Indigenous Member who will be Members of the Provincial Executive on August 1st of that year. The election shall be by majority vote.

   4. Regional Members shall be elected by a plurality vote of the entire Active and Reserve Membership of the regions defined in 1. (b), following the process outlined in Operational Procedures.

   5. The African Nova Scotian Member and the Indigenous Member shall be elected by a plurality vote of the entire Active and Reserve membership who self-identify as African Nova Scotian or Indigenous respectively following the process outlined in Operational Procedures.

NSTU Operational Procedures Excerpt

Section I – Governance

10. Election Procedures

B. Elections/By-Elections for Regional Provincial Executive Members

1. 1. Notice of Pending Election
      1. Notice of all pending Regional Provincial Executive elections shall be posted on the NSTU website and advertised in an issue of The Teacher at least thirty (30) days prior to the closing of nominations.
      2. Notice of a pending Regional Provincial Executive election shall be sent to NSTU leaders (Local President(s), RRC Chair (if applicable), and Provincial Executive Member(s)) from within the boundaries of the region as defined in NSTU By-Laws Article III – The Provincial Executive at least thirty (30) days prior to the closing of nominations.
      3. Notice shall include the process for nominations.
      4. Notice shall include the requirements regarding Equity-Owed Provincial Executive seats.
   2. Nominations
      1. Nominations for the office of Regional Provincial Executive shall be submitted on the official Nomination Form.
      2. The official Nomination Form may be found on the NSTU website.
      3. Individuals may nominate themselves.
      4. A candidate’s Nomination Form must be completed and returned to the Executive Director or designate no later than 4:00 p.m. on the second (2nd) Friday of February (the closing of nominations).
      5. In the event that no nominations are received in a given region, the close of nominations shall be extended by four (4) weeks, and notice shall be sent to NSTU leaders from within the boundaries of the region.
      6. In electoral regions with two (2) Provincial Executive seats, one (1) of the two (2) elected Members shall be designated for an individual from an Equity-Owed group. If no Equity-Owed Member(s) offers to run as a candidate in the first round of nominations a subsequent nomination period shall be open to all Active Members.
   3. Campaigning
      1. Campaign guidelines are as set out in NSTU Standing Orders and these Operational Procedures.
      2. Active campaigning for the office of Regional Provincial Executive Member may begin no sooner than the close of nominations.
      3. A one-page (8 ½ x 11) poster will be printed and circulated to NSTU Representatives within the Region by NSTU Central Office upon receipt from a candidate. An electronic copy of the poster shall be circulated, by NSTU Central Office, to members in the region.
      4. If a Local invites candidates to attend a Local meeting or event, the invitation must be extended to all candidates.
      5. Campaign spending by or on behalf of each candidate may not exceed two hundred dollars ($200). Candidates are solely responsible for all campaign spending.
      6. All candidates shall submit an official financial statement report form to the Executive Director or designate within sixty (60) days from the conclusion of the election. This report is to include an itemized list of expenditures.
      7. Suspected violations to these campaign guidelines shall be resolved in the following manner:
         1. suspected violations shall be reported to the Regional Electoral Officer, in a timely manner, for resolution;
         2. the Regional Electoral Officer will attempt to resolve the issue informally;
         3. if the Regional Electoral Office is able to resolve the issue informally no further action is required;
         4. if the Regional Electoral Officer is unable to resolve the issue informally the suspected violation shall be referred to the Executive Director or designate for resolution;
         5. the Executive Director or designate will attempt to resolve the issue informally;
         6. if the Executive Director or designate is able to resolve the issue informally no further action is required;
         7. if the Executive Director or designate cannot resolve the issue informally the Executive Director or designate shall make a ruling and inform candidates and the Regional Electoral Officer regarding this ruling, the ruling shall be final; and,
         8. rulings may include but are not necessarily limited to:
            1. a written warning,
            2. a notice of censure to other candidates,
            3. a public notice of censure to the membership, or
            4. removal from ballot.
   4. Voting Day
      
      1. The voting day shall be the third (3rd) Wednesday in April.
   5. By-Election
      Notwithstanding I, II, and IV above, in the event of a vacancy as outlined in NSTU By-Laws Article III – The Provincial Executive Section 7 – Vacancy, the following process shall be followed:
      
      1. At the Provincial Executive’s earliest convenience, they shall meet to set a closing date for nominations and a by-election date. Consideration shall be given to the timelines given above as well as the difficulty in holding a summer vote.
      2. Notice of the by-election shall be posted to the NSTU website and be sent to NSTU leaders from within the boundaries of the region.
      3. In electoral regions with two (2) Provincial Executive seats, consideration shall be given to the requirements regarding Equity-Owed Provincial Executive seats when setting timelines for the by-election.
   6. Election Results
      1. A candidate must obtain a plurality of the votes cast to be elected as the Regional Provincial Executive Member.
      2. In the event of an equality of votes, the decision of the successful candidate shall be by lottery (i.e., placing the names of the candidates on equal size pieces of paper placed in a box and one (1) name being drawn by the Chief Electoral Officer).

C. Elections/By-Elections for African Nova Scotian and Indigenous Provincial Executive Members

1. 1. Notice of Pending Election

   2. Nominations

   3. Campaigning

   4. Voting Day

   5. By-Election

   6. Election Results