A collection of chronologically issued answers to some of the questions submitted by individual believers and institutions

12/09/2016

Instruction of Tellers; Election of Assembly officers - July 21, 1971

It is for your National Assembly to determine how to properly instruct the delegates beforehand in the recording of identical names on ballots and to give the tellers guidelines for handling these questions when they arise in the counting of the ballots. Thereafter, it is for the tellers to make the decision and give the results to the Convention or Assembly... 

Q. In the case of a tie between five persons for three vacancies should the names of the five be read for the delegates vote?

A. Yes.

Q. In voting for officers is it permissible to read the names of those persons who have tied?

A. When voting for officers of an Assembly a result is only reached when one member receives five or more votes. Until that result is reached all members are eligible for the office in question and the results of all inconclusive ballots should be made know to the meeting. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 21 July 1971 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Jamaica; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)