The following email about the SBO voting process was sent on May 21, 2020, to all chapter leaders by UFT Contract Empowerment Department Director Debra Poulos.

To make sure that your school chapter can participate in SBO voting during this remote period, we will be using ElectionBuddy, an online platform for secure, anonymous voting.

Online voting highlights

• Eligible UFT members in your school will receive an email from ElectionBuddy with a link to your chapter’s SBO ballot through their personal email address and/or cellphone number.
• Voting will take place on the day that you choose. It will begin at 6 a.m. and end at 9 p.m.
• ElectionBuddy has the ability to record who has voted without recording how that person voted.
• Once voting has closed, ElectionBuddy will tabulate the results and they will be shared with you and your members.

UFT election support: The union will set up your school’s SBO ballots in the ElectionBuddy platform and schedule your election.

Here is a summary of this year’s process and the role that you as chapter leader play:

SBO ballots: You must give your SBO ballots to your district representative. Your SBO ballots must be constructed to allow members to vote YES or NO on the proposed modification. See the sample ballots in the chapter leader section of the UFT website (you must be logged in).

Voter lists: Your district rep will ask you to review a voter list for your chapter. We need you to make sure that no members are missing from that list and that we have an email address and/or cellphone number for members whose information is missing. Send the final voter list to your district rep and specify three possible dates you want the vote to take place.

After the vote: When SBO voting is done, you will complete the online SBO Ratification and Certification Form. Your district rep will give you the link to the form.

If you have any questions, please contact your district representative.