A new election can be called with the reason of "Question about ballots" Roberts rules of Order is were you need to look for an exact ruling. (Sorry my book is in the van..) There is a website for Robert Rules..I'm sorry my brain is on a low burn today.
I'm not sure I would comfront your Treasurer just yet because (if I'm reading this right) you did say there is nothing in your bylaws so to campain or not was more or less her advantage. Now the ballot issue is big. Does the new President feel the same as you do? As a member, you can call or ask for a new election under much more controlled conditions. I guess I'm confused how the Treasuer had ballots as that is something the Secretary handles.
Anyway, forgive me, but do a Google search or ASk Jeves (ask.com) for Roberts Rules site and submit this very question. You will have an answer with in 24 hours.
One of the faculty members brought this to my attention. I spoke with the faculty member who witnessed the Treasurer filling out the ballots and who also received one. I'm not sure that the teachers are willing to step forward because of the dynamics involved.
I agree that not everyone who received one of these ballots necessarily turned them in. I don't yet have the ballots in my possession, so still have to determine how many might have been turned in.
The election is already done and the school year is almost over, so we're having to act quickly.
Assuming this is true...Just becuase she handed out ballots with her name on them does not mean folks will turn them in. If someone gave me one like that I would certainly not turn it in and nor would I think very highly of this person.
That being said...I actually think you should confront her now, before the election. Just tell her this was brought to your attention and you need to find out if it is true. See what she says.
Our election was this week and it has just come to my attention that the Treasurer was seen filling out a stack of ballots, which she then handed to parents and other faculty members to turn in as their own votes!
Who bought this to your attention? It is a serious accusation, but if you know the person who saw this, would they be willing to come forward? Is it hearsay?
I'm the outgoing PTO President for my school. The current Treasurer ran for Vice President and had one contender for the position. The Treasurer is unfortunately the daughter of the school Director AND a teacher at the school. She unfairly "campaigned" for two weeks leading up the election while no other parent on the slate was able to do so. Our election was this week and it has just come to my attention that the Treasurer was seen filling out a stack of ballots, which she then handed to parents and other faculty members to turn in as their own votes!
Our PTO By-Laws don't have any information on how to handle a situation like this. My thought is to examine the ballots, pull out the ones that appear to be written in one person's hand... then confront this person. The outcome will most likely be to remove her from the V.P. position and appoint the other candidate. (I think I have the School Board behind me on the above plan - I spoke to one of the members this morning.)
Does anyone have any guidance to offer on how to handle this? The situation is made even more complicated because this teacher is my daughter's teacher. I feel like my daughter may be subjected to some sort of retribution if I act to have this person held accountable.
