This page is for information about Unit Election procedure within the Order of the Arrow. For information about what to do once you are elected, see our Elected Candidates page. This page may be referenced for information on elections procedures at any point before, during, or after an election. Unit elections occur before a scout is an Elected Candidate. 

Unit Elections may be conducted once per election cycle, essentially once per year. 

Before the election, an Order of the Arrow elections team will visit a unit meeting once requested by the unit leader through the chapter’s Executive Vice Chief. The team will begin the election by verifying with the unit leader that at least 50% of registered scouts aged under 21 are present. If under 50% are present, the election cannot proceed and must be rescheduled. A scout does not need to be present to be on the ballot or elected, but all voting scouts must be physically present to turn in their votes. Any scout whose name is withheld from the ballot at the unit leader’s discretion must be notified in advance. 

To begin the election process, the elections team will introduce themselves and explain what the Order of the Arrow is, as well as the many opportunities and reasons to join! They will also explain that to be elected, a candidate must have at least 50% of the vote from all scouts who turn in a ballot. Voting scouts may vote by turning in a ballot with no name checked, some names checked, or all names checked. A ballot turned in with no scout selected will count as a vote against everyone. A scout may abstain from the election by not turning in a ballot at all. This will not count for or against anyone in the 50% minimum. Scouts up for election may vote and can vote for themselves if they feel themselves worthy. The team will then share a presentation that explains voting procedure and further explains the goals and purpose of the Order of the Arrow. 

Voting then begins. After the ballots have been turned in, an elections team member and the unit leader will determine the minimum required to be elected and count the ballots. If at least one scout has enough votes to be elected, the results are final. If no scout was elected, this fact is to be announced and a second ballot is to be held immediately. The results of this second election are final. The unit leader may decide whether to announce publicly the names of those elected, although it is strongly recommended that they do so.  

After the election. These procedures and rules are taken from the Unit Elections Handbook and the Handbook for Officers and Advisers. These handbooks should be the final authority consulted if any conflicts arise. If an error occurred during the election and is realized after the conclusion of the unit’s meeting, the unit leader may submit a request to the Lodge Executive Committee to schedule a second election only for the scout(s) affected. For more information, or with questions, please contact your chapter adviser or EVC.