Frequently asked questions about OSBA elections

Nomination questions

How does a local board nominate a candidate for the OSBA board or Legislative Policy Committee?

A local board nominates a candidate through official board action. Sample language is available.

How do I become an OSBA board member?

In order to become a candidate for your regional OSBA board position, you must be nominated by a local board in your region. Your nomination does not have to come from your own board and you may receive more than one nomination, although only one is required. Following your nomination, you must then submit your candidate information to OSBA by the deadline stated in the election calendar.

How do I become an OSBA Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) member?

You may run in the next election for the LPC seat representing your region. In order to become a candidate for your regional LPC position, you must be nominated by a local board in your region. Your nomination does not have to come from your own board and you may receive more than one nomination, although only one is required. Following your nomination, you must then submit your candidate information to OSBA by the deadline stated in the election calendar.

Resolution questions

How do I get a resolution on the ballot?

An individual board member cannot submit a resolution to the membership directly. However, each member board within a region has the ability to put forward a resolution to be considered by the membership. A board simply writes a resolution, passes it by a majority vote of its own board, and then sends it to OSBA by the deadline stated in the election calendar.

Campaign questions

Can I campaign for my position?

Yes. The candidate forms completed and submitted during the nomination process will be posted on the OSBA website. In addition, you may contact other board members in your region for campaigning purposes. OSBA has created a listserv for each region which may be used for campaigning, or you may request a mailing list of the board members in your region from OSBA at info@osba.org. 

There may also be opportunities at the OSBA Fall Regional Meetings for you to campaign. Contact La'Nell Trissel if you are interested in speaking at your regional meeting this year.

Voting questions

Is there any literature available on the candidates and resolutions?

Yes. Candidate information is posted online as soon as we receive it.

Does each board get one vote?

For OSBA board and Legislative Policy Committee positions each board gets one vote. For resolutions, a weighted voting system based on student population is used. A complete explanation of this system can be found in Section 2.4.2 of the OSBA Bylaws (230k ).

How do we place our vote with OSBA?

The board must take official board action and then submit that information to OSBA. Your board will be provided a link in order to access electronic voting. In cases of computer or Internet failure, you may also fax or mail your vote to OSBA.

Mail: OSBA, 1201 Court St NE, #400
Salem, Oregon 97301
Fax: (503) 588-2813

Our board is provided with more than one vote for voting on resolutions. Do we have to place all votes the same way? 

No. You may cast your votes as a board in any manner you choose.

I am an ESD board member. Our ESD has school district members in several regions. Where does our board vote?

You vote in only one region. The location of your main facility determines the region wherein your board will vote. If a member Education Service District's boundaries span more than one OSBA region, that member board must declare in which region it intends to vote and vote only in that region.

I am a community college board member. Our community college has locations in several OSBA regions. Where does our board vote?

You vote in only one region. The location of your main facility determines the region wherein your board will vote. If a member community college's boundaries span more than one OSBA region, that member board must declare in which region it intends to vote and vote only in that region.

Don’t local boards only get to vote for those representatives from their region?

For regional representatives on the OSBA board and LPC, the answer is yes. For resolutions, the answer is no. The entire membership of OSBA votes for resolutions, regardless of which region put the resolution on the ballot.

Officer election questions

How do I become an OSBA officer?

Election of officers shall be made by the currently seated board of directors from their own membership at least 10 days prior to the November membership meeting. The nominations for the slate of officers may include more than one candidate for any officer position except for the president and past president as provided in Section 5 of the OSBA Bylaws (230k).

General background questions

How do the regions work?

The state is divided into 14 regions based on population, communities of interest, and geographic location. Each region is represented on the OSBA board and the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC). Each local board has the ability to nominate a board member in its region to become a candidate for the OSBA board or LPC. Each local board also votes for the candidate of its choice in the regional elections. [Map of regions (41k  )]

More information

Who do I contact for more information?

You may contact the OSBA at (800) 578-6722 or via email at OSBAelections@osba.org. 

Where do I find more information about the OSBA Board?

Detailed information on the OSBA board is available online. You may also contact OSBA at (800) 578-6722 or via email at OSBAelections@osba.org. 

Where do I find more information about the Legislative Policy Committee?

Detailed information on the Legislative Policy Committee is available online. You may contact the OSBA Legislative Services team for more information at (800) 578-6722 or via email at info@osba.org.