[registrars] Names Council Elections Update

["Michael D. Palage" <michael@palage.com>]

I have been asked for clarification about the upcoming election for the
Names Council Representatives. Nominations began Monday November 19th at
00:01 UTC and are scheduled to last for ten days and close on Wednesday
November 28th at 23:59 UTC. The eligibility requirements for candidates are
set forth in section 4.1 of the By-Laws listed below. This is identical to
the nomination process that was used in the election of the Registrar
Executive Committee, and based upon the By-Laws that were amended earlier
this year.

Because of the Geographic Diversity Requirements set forth in Section 4.3
and in fact required by ICANN By-Laws, the actual voting and election
process will be slightly different from what is currently embodied in the
By-Laws. The Names Council election process that was used in Berlin in March
1999 and Los Angeles 1999 will be again be used. For purposes of clarity and
better understanding these rules are repeated below for newer constituency
members.

A Ballot will be prepared with all the nominated candidates that have
accepted the nominations. These candidates will then be placed on a ballot
along with a statement indicating the citizenship of that particular
candidate broken down into one of the five ICANN regional categories (North
America, South America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Africa). The ballot will
then be submitted to all voting representatives. Each voting representative
will be able to cast a total of up to three votes for three distinct
candidates.

For purposes of clarification, it is not required for a voting
representative to cast all three votes, and the voting representative is not
required to vote for candidates in different geographic regions. The only
prohibition is that a voting representative cannot vote cumulatively, i.e.
three times for the same person.  As discussed in detail in Marina del Rey
this is the most equitable solution, and is superior to previously proposed,
but rejected schemes, that required voting representatives to vote for only
one candidate in a specific region.

Assuming that the nomination process ends on Wednesday November 28th at
23:59 UTC. Election ballots should be able to be sent out by Friday November
30th at 12:00 UTC. The election ballot would then be open from Friday
November 30th, 12:00 UTC through to December 7th at 12:00 UTC. This is in
accordance with the seven day voting window set forth in the current
by-laws. Although it was discussed in Marina del Rey of considering a 10
voting period, the seven day window is better suited to allow for tabulation
and verification of the results so that our new Names Council
representatives can take their place for the next scheduled Names Council
teleconference on the Week of December the 10th.

Best regards,

Michael D. Palage
on Behalf of the Registrar Executive Committee





4. Elections, Eligibility, Term of Office and Voting

4.1 Eligibility
1. Only representatives from a Registrars Constituency member in good
standing
can stand for election within the constituency.
2. Only individuals who are accredited, operational registrars, or are
employed or
nominated by accredited, operational registrars, may be elected to an
Elected
Officer position.

4.2 Duration of Term
1. The duration of all elected terms is two years.
2. An elected representative may only serve two consecutive two-year terms
for the
same position.

4.3 ICANN Geographic Diversity Requirement
1. Each of the three Names Council representatives must be from separate
geographic region in accordance with ICANN's by-laws.

4.4 Voting
1. Registrar Constituency members shall have one vote per member,
irrespective of the size of the registrant or the number of domain names
registered.
2. Registrar Constituency members may vote via proxy.
3. Observers have no voting rights.
4. The Constituency shill endeavor to provide a standard seven (7) day
voting
on all substantive issues.
5. Non-payment by any Constituency member of required Constituency fees
for a period of sixty (60) days or more after the due date of such fees will
result in
the suspension of that member's voting privileges, until such time as the
Treasurer
determines that the constituency fees have been paid in full.
6. The Constituency will endeavor to make all voting public.