The MMA by-laws call for a five-member Nominating Committee appointed annually in February by the Executive Committee. The Committee is composed of two past presidents, two elected municipal officers and one member who is either the president of an affiliate organization or chief appointed administrative officer. The immediate past president serves as the chair of the Nominating Committee and brings forth the Nominating Committee Advisory Guidelines adopted annually by the Executive Committee.
Nomination Process
The Nomination Process formally begins in April with notice seeking statements of interest from all qualified municipal officials. Notice is sent through electronic communication to the key municipal official (manager or chair of selectboard) in all member municipalities, posted on the MMA website and publicized in the April issue of the Maine Townsman. The Nominating Committee generally meets in April and May. The Nominating Committee’s sole purpose is to select a proposed slate of officers and members for service on the Executive Committee to be presented to the municipal membership for election 90 days prior to the pre-established election deadline in August.
Petition Process
The MMA by-laws also establish a Petition Process which is provided through electronic communication to the full municipal membership 40 days in advance of the election deadline. A voting ballot with the proposed slate of officers and members offered by the Nominating Committee and any successful petition candidates is mailed to the municipal membership 30 days in advance of the election deadline.
Election Process
The MMA’s President oversees the Election Process. A municipal clerk works with the MMA president to formally count the voting ballots and provide notice of the election results. The candidates with the most votes are elected to the Executive Committee and are so notified. Newly elected Executive Committee members serve as non-voting members during September – December and officially begin their three-year voting term on Jan. 1 following their election.