November 2011

Calls late yesterday from the first members to receive their ballots indicate that the name and facility information was printed on the “ballot enclosed” envelope instead of the “business reply” envelope.

For those of you who have not attended a ballot count, the procedure is that president’s do not count their own facility. All names are verified against the voter registry first and then all opened at once.  Normally, because the personal information is separated before the vote envelope is opened, your confidentiality is secure.

This time, however, if you mail in your vote with the envelopes provided, your name will stay connected to your vote further in counting process.  Many members have voted already.  Be assured, your vote is valid as long as the name and locator code is verifiable.  If you are not concerned you may continue to vote and send it in.

In reality because there are thousands being sorted at once, the vote of any one particular member being seen by someone who knows that member is unlikely.  That being said, we do understand, however, that for some the confidentiality of their vote is necessary and we have developed the following plan:

1.  Copy your name and facility locator codes from your current “Ballot Enclosed” envelope to your current Business Reply envelope.  You may then obscure/mark out/cut out the name and facility locator codes on your current “Ballot Enclosed” envelope.  Since it is being placed inside the Business Reply Envelope then it is OK if there is a hole in it. And since you have copied the information to the Business Reply it is OK if you obscure the information on the Ballot Enclosed envelope.

OR

1.  Copy your name and facility locator codes from your current “Ballot Enclosed” envelope to your current Business Reply envelope.  Then you can place your ballot into one of your own personal blank envelopes.

OR

MCO will have blank “Ballot Enclosed” envelopes available soon.  We will have them here at MCO Central so you can call to request one.  We will also be sending out a stack to each chapter president so you can pick one up at work if you wish.

1.  Copy your name and facility locator codes from your current “Ballot Enclosed” envelope to your current Business Reply envelope.  Then you can place your ballot into a new blank “Ballot Enclosed” envelope obtained from MCO or your local chapter official.

WITH EITHER OPTION IT IS VITAL THAT YOUR NAME AND FACILITY CODES BE COPIED TO YOUR BUSINESS REPLY ENVELOPES.