Each lodge is preparing for the annual election of lodge officers. This article is an overview of the election process to help your lodge in this important task. The General Laws and the "Election of Lodge Officers Handbook" should be consulted. References to the sections below are from the General Laws.
1. Qualifications:
A. Governor/Jr. Governor/Prelate: Must be member of lodge at least six (6) months preceding the date of election. Treasurer/Trustee: An active member of the lodge. (Section 33.5)
B. Governor: Must have served a full term (12 consecutive months) in another elective office in lodge (not combination of offices). (Section 33.5)
C. Candidates for office must submit their names to the Nominating Committee at least one (1) week prior to the date the committee is required to present its report to the lodge. (Section 31.3)
D. All members submitting their names to the Nominating Committee for an elected office must have had training or will attend a training class within 60 days of being elected.
2. Nominating Committee:
A. Appointment: Governor appoints members and generally is chairman. (Section 33.2)
B. Composition: Eight (8) elective officers of lodge, five (5) past Governors in order of juniority, five (5) members of lodge who are either appointed officers, committee chairman or Past Governors (more, if necessary.) (Section 33.2)
C. Responsibilities: To select at least one (1) member for each elected office to be filled. Must consider any qualified candidate for office who submits his name. Nominations must be based upon the members' qualifications, his desire to run and availability to fulfill the duties of the office. May nominate more than one (1) member for a particular office. (Section 33.3)
3. Petitions:
A. Any eligible member, who submitted his name for a specific office, but not nominated, still desiring to run for that office, shall have his name placed on the ballot by petition. (Section 33.4)
B. The petition must contain signatures of lodge members in good standing (active) of not less than 10% of the first 500 members plus 5% of the members over 500. (Section 33.4)
C. All petitions must be submitted to the Administrator at least one (1) week prior to election. (Section 33.4)
D. Any member nominated who declines the nomination may not then petition for the office declined. (Section 33.4)
4. Election:
A. Only members in good standing and physically present are eligible to vote for the election of officers – no absentee ballots or proxy votes allowed. (Section 33.8)
B. Conducted at the first (regular) meeting in April. The election must follow the report of the Nominating Committee by at least two(2) weeks. (Section 33.3)
C. Governor appoints three (3) good standing members, who are not candidates for elective office, to serve as an Election Committee. (Section 33.6)
D. If a majority of the membership votes at a meeting at least two(2) weeks prior to the election, the Australian ballot maybe used. (Section 33.8)
E. The lodge is NOT required to send out notice of the election to membership or post in lodge.
5. Questions?
Carefully study the portions of the General Laws pertaining to elections, and the Election of Lodge Officers Handbook that can be found on-line at www.mooseintl.org. Inquire by e-mail to
* Please note: All Governors and Administrators are required to attend all state, association, International Conventions and conferences by virtue of the office they hold. Lodges will be held accountable if either of these officers (or the lodge's alternate delegates who may serve as a representative) does not attend unless an excusable reason is given. Penalties can range from lodge social quarters being closed or action against the officer.