Annual Election Schedule
The KOOP Board of Directors is asking eligible voting members to consider a proposed amendment to Article Ten of the KOOP Bylaws, which governs the station’s Annual Election. If you contributed $35 or more to KOOP between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, you are eligible to vote on this amendment under the KOOP Bylaws. Eligible members will receive an electronic ballot through ElectionRunner no later than October 20, 2026.
What is the proposed change?
The proposed amendment would change the timing of KOOP’s Annual Election. If approved:
- The Annual Election would be held each year during the summer.
- Newly elected members of the Board of Directors and Community Council would begin their terms on July 1 instead of November 1.
- The election would conclude no later than June 30.
- Obsolete language that applied only to the 2006 election transition would be removed from the bylaws.
This proposal affects only the election schedule. It does not change who may vote, who may run for office, or the responsibilities of the Board of Directors or Community Council.
Why is the Board recommending this change?
For many years, KOOP’s Annual Election has taken place shortly after the station’s Fall Membership Drive. The Board believes this timing creates unnecessary challenges because volunteers, candidates, and staff are already heavily engaged in fundraising activities. Moving the election to the summer is intended to:
- improve recruitment of Board and Community Council candidates;
- encourage greater voter participation;
- provide more time for members to learn about candidates;
- reduce administrative pressure associated with preparing voter eligibility lists; and
- separate the election from the station’s busiest fundraising period.
The Board believes these changes will strengthen member participation while preserving KOOP’s existing governance structure.
What happens if the amendment is approved?
The revised election schedule would be implemented through a one-time transition beginning with the next Annual Election. After the first election under the new schedule, the Board intends to review the results to determine whether the new timing has improved participation and election administration.
Programming Committee Elections
Programming Committee members have been elected as part of KOOP’s Annual Election process in recent years. That practice will continue.
Because the Programming Committee is established through Board policy rather than the KOOP Bylaws, it is not part of the proposed bylaw amendment.
How do I vote?
Eligible voting members will receive a secure electronic ballot through ElectionRunner by October 20, 2026. Please review the information provided with your ballot before casting your vote. Every eligible member’s participation is important to KOOP’s governance.
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