Providing the Option of Electronic Local Elections

Adopted by the ALAA Joint Council April 14, 2026

WHEREAS, the UAW Constitution provides that locals may nominate amendments to the UAW Constitution for consideration at the June 2026 UAW Constitutional Convention.

WHEREAS, the Joint Council approved the amendment “Providing the Option of Electronic Local Elections” on February 10, 2026.

WHEREAS, the authors have since received a request to change the amendment.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that ALAA - UAW 2325 nominates the following amendment for the 2026 UAW Constitutional Convention instead of the version passed at the February 10 Joint Council.

Providing the Option of Electronic Local Elections

WHEREAS, the UAW Constitution currently limits Local Union elections to in-person or mail voting, a framework written for an earlier era that unnecessarily restricts how Locals conduct elections and membership votes;

WHEREAS, modern electronic voting systems meet the democratic standards of the UAW and federal labor law including secret ballots, voter eligibility, election integrity, transparency, and oversights;

WHEREAS, prohibiting electronic voting can reduce ballot accessibility  to members facing barriers to in-person voting, including caregiving responsibilities, irregular schedules, disabilities, and remote or dispersed worksites;

WHEREAS, electronic voting platforms can facilitate accessible ballots through multiple languages and screen-reader compatibility;

WHEREAS, Local Unions are best positioned to determine voting methods that maximize participation while preserving democratic safeguards, and expanding permissible voting methods strengthens rank-and-file democracy by increasing turnout, accessibility, and member control;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the UAW Constitution shall be amended as follows:

1. Art 8, Section 23. Delegates to the International Convention shall be elected by secret ballot of the Local Union of which they are members and in no case shall be appointed. Elections for Convention Delegates must take place no later than thirty (30) days prior to the convening of the Convention. Local Unions may seek standing approval from the IEB to use remote electronic voting systems that are in compliance with the LMRDA.

2. Art 8, Section 24. At least seven (7) days shall elapse between the time of nomination of delegates and the date the election shall take place. All members shall be duly notified, at least fifteen (15) days in advance, of the time and place of said election and the hours the polls will be open. Polling places must be open a sufficient number of hours on one (1) or more days to allow all members of the Local Union an opportunity to cast their ballots. Each member shall personally cast their vote at the polls. Local Unions may seek standing approval from the IEB to use remote electronic voting systems that are in compliance with the LMRDA.

3. Art 38, Section 10(b). Such elections shall be held during specified dates and hours at a specified polling place or polling places where each member shall personally cast their vote. Local Unions may seek standing approval from the IEB to use remote electronic voting systems that are in compliance with the LMRDA. The use of absentee ballots is not permitted in Local Union elections, except as allowed by a uniform policy established by the International Executive Board.

4. Art 45, Section 2. All Stewards and/or Committeepersons shall be democratically elected for three (3) year terms. A Local Union or unit of an Amalgamated Local Union may have, after July 1, 1998, a shorter term, of no less than two (2) years, only by affirmative membership action, and permission granted by the International Executive Board, Stewards and Committeepersons shall be required to take the oath of office as provided in Article 39. Local Unions may seek standing approval from the IEB to use remote electronic voting systems that are in compliance with the LMRDA.

Members in good standing who are on indefinite layoff from the employer may not be a candidate for, or vote in, an election for a non-executive local union office that has grievance handling, contract bargaining or contractual administrative duties unless specifically authorized to do so by Local Union Bylaws or applicable collective bargaining agreement.