Section 1110.140  Conduct of the Election

a)         The election shall be conducted under the supervision of the Board. Voting shall be by secret ballot.

b)         Absentee ballots will be allowed only where an individual submits a written request to the Board no later than 10 days prior to the election and demonstrates in that request that he or she is not able to be physically present at the polling place at the time for which the election is scheduled and therefore would be unable to cast a ballot.  The request must set forth the factual basis for the claim.  Mere inconvenience to the individual shall not be cause for the issuance of an absentee ballot.

c)         Each party shall be entitled to an equal number of observers as determined by the Board or its agent.  The number of observers allowed shall be based on the number of polling locations and the number of eligible voters.  The identity and conduct of observers are subject to such limitations as the Board or its agent shall prescribe in order to ensure that voters are free from interference, coercion, or intimidation.

d)         The Board's agent is authorized to prescribe the area in proximity to the polling place in which electioneering shall be prohibited.  The specified area shall be based on the size and nature of the specific polling place.

e)         Ballots shall list all employee organizations that properly petitioned or intervened in the election, the incumbent exclusive representative, and the choice of "No Representative".

f)         Where an election involves a bargaining unit that includes craft employees, and there has been a proper petition for a separate craft unit, craft employees shall be given two ballots: one to vote for or against craft severance and a second to vote on choice of representative.  Noncraft employees shall only be given ballots for voting on choice of representative.

g)         Where an election involves a bargaining unit containing professional and nonprofessional employees, all employees shall be given two ballots: one for indicating whether they desire a combined professional-nonprofessional unit and a second for indicating choice of representative, except as provided for in Section 1110.105(v).

h)         Ballot boxes shall be examined in the presence of the observers immediately prior to the opening of the polls and shall be sealed at the opening of the polls.  The seal shall allow for one opening on the top of the ballot box for voters to insert their ballots.

i)          The Board's agent or any authorized observer may question the identity of any voter.  A voter whose identity has been questioned may establish his or her identity by showing a driver's license or any other equally reliable piece of identification.  Challenged voters shall be permitted to vote in secret with their ballots set aside by the Board's agent with appropriate markings.

j)          A voter shall mark a cross (X) or check (√) in the circle or block designating his or her choice in the election.  The intent of the voter shall be followed in the marking of the ballot.  If the ballot is defaced, torn, marked in such a manner that it is not understandable, or identifies the voter, the ballot shall be declared void.  If the voter inadvertently spoils a ballot, he or she may return it to the Board's agent, who shall give the voter another ballot and shall preserve the spoiled ballot.

k)         A voter shall fold his or her ballot so that no part of its face is exposed and, on leaving the voting booth, shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box.  If the election is continued for more than one period, the ballot box shall be sealed until the subsequent opening of the polls and shall remain in the custody of the Board's agent until the counting of the ballots.

l)          The Board's agent may privately assist any voter who, due to physical or other disability, is unable to mark his or her ballot.

m)        Prior to the close of the polls, each party shall designate a representative to observe the tallying of the ballots.

n)         Immediately upon the conclusion of the polling, the votes shall be tallied as follows:

1)         The Board's agent shall attempt to achieve a voluntary resolution of all ballot challenges before the ballots are counted.

2)         If there was only one polling location, the Board's agent shall tally the votes in the presence of a representative designated by each party and shall serve a written tally on each of the representatives.

3)         If there was more than one polling location, the Board's agent shall seal the ballot boxes and bring them to a predetermined central location. When all the ballot boxes have arrived, they shall be opened, the ballots shall be commingled, and the votes shall be tallied in the presence of a representative designated by each party.  The Board's agent shall serve a written tally on each of the representatives.

4)         The Board's agent shall count the number of challenged ballots separately.  If the challenged ballots cannot affect the outcome of the election, the challenges will not be resolved.  If the challenged ballots could affect the outcome of the election, the Board's agent shall again attempt to achieve a voluntary resolution of all the challenges.

5)         If challenges to ballots have not been resolved, and if the challenges could affect the outcome of the election, the challenged ballots shall be investigated by the Executive Director, who shall issue a recommended decision concerning the application of Sections 2, 7, 8 and 9 of the Act and this Part to the challenged ballots.  Parties may file exceptions to the Executive Director's recommendation and briefs in support of those exceptions no later than 14 days after receipt of the recommendation.  Copies of all exceptions and briefs shall be served upon all other parties and a certificate of service shall be attached.  Any party to the proceeding may file a response to any exceptions and supporting briefs within 14 days from receipt of a party's exceptions and supporting brief.  The response shall be filed with the Board and served on all parties.  If no exceptions have been filed within the 14 day period, the parties will be deemed to have waived their exceptions.  The Board will review the Executive Director's recommendation upon request by a party or on its own motion.

6)         When the election includes a vote on craft severance, the craft employee ballots on craft severance shall be tallied first.  If a majority of the craft employees casting valid ballots choose craft severance, the craft and noncraft ballots on choice of representative shall be tallied separately.  If a majority of the craft employees casting valid ballots do not choose craft severance, the ballots on choice of representative shall be tallied together.

7)         When the election includes a vote on a combined professional-nonprofessional unit, the ballots on unit preference shall be tallied first.  Separate tallies shall be made for professional and nonprofessional employees.

8)         If a majority of the employees casting valid ballots in each group vote for a combined unit, the ballots on choice of representative shall be tallied together.  If a combined unit fails to receive a majority vote in either or both groups, the ballots on choice of representative shall be tallied separately.

o)         In all cases, the recipient of a majority of the valid ballots cast by those voting shall prevail.

p)         When there are three or more choices on the ballot (two or more employee organizations and "No Representative") and no choice receives a majority, the Board shall conduct a runoff election between the two choices that received the most votes.  The results of votes taken during the first election on craft severance and combined professional-nonprofessional units shall be binding on the runoff election.

q)         Where there are three or more choices on the ballot, and either the vote is split equally among all of the choices, or there is a tie for second place, the Board shall declare the election inconclusive and shall order a new election. If there is a tie for second place and the first place choice receives a majority (more than 50%), no new election shall be ordered and the first place choice shall prevail. The results of the craft severance and combined professional-nonprofessional unit votes in the first election shall be binding on the rerun election.

r)          The Board shall preserve all ballots until such time as any objections to the election have been resolved and the results have been certified and served on the parties.

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 10587, effective August 1, 2017)