Election Process Update and September 28 Nominations

The Election Committee has provided an update regarding the recent union election challenge and the next steps in the election process.

According to the Election Committee, the International Committee on Appeals has agreed with the previous board's decision to re-run the election.

With the appeal decision now issued, the Election Committee is moving forward with the re-run election process under the Election and Campaign Rules previously provided to members.

Nominations

Nominations for all Officer and Executive Board positions will take place on September 28, 2026.

Nominations will be accepted for:

• President
• Vice President — 2 positions
• Financial Secretary/Treasurer
• Recording Secretary
• Executive Board Member at Large — 3 positions

The Election Committee has announced the following nomination requirements:

• Nominees must be in good standing and current with union dues.
• The nominee and/or nominator must be present at the meeting.
• Nominations by email or text are not permitted.

View the September 28 meeting details

Election Rules and Procedures

The Election Committee has issued rules governing the Local 571 re-run election. The election will be conducted in accordance with the TWU International Constitution, Local 571 By-Laws, the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), and the rules established by the Election Committee.

Candidate Eligibility

To be eligible for nomination and election to an Officer or Executive Board position, a member must:

• Have been in good standing with the Transport Workers Union of America for the 12 months immediately preceding nominations
• Meet the eligibility requirements established by the TWU International Constitution
• Meet the requirements of Section 504 of the LMRDA

The Election Committee will review union records to verify the eligibility of all nominees. Nominees determined to be ineligible will be notified using the email address on file with the union.

Accepting a Nomination

Following nominations, nominees will be contacted using the email address on file with the union.

Nominees must accept or decline their nomination by October 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT. If no response is received before the deadline, the nomination will be considered declined. Acceptances submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

A member nominated for more than one Officer or Executive Board position must choose which position they wish to run for.

No member may run for more than one Officer or Executive Board position.

If only one eligible member is nominated for a position, that candidate will be elected by acclamation and no further vote will be required for that position.

Ballot Order

Candidates will be listed on the ballot alphabetically by last name.

Membership List Inspection

Candidates may inspect the Local 571 membership list on:

• Monday, November 16, 2026
• Wednesday, November 18, 2026
• Friday, November 20, 2026

Inspection will be available between 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. CT at TWU Local 571.

Candidates and members are not entitled to copy or receive a copy of the membership list. Candidates will not be compensated for lost time or travel expenses associated with inspecting the list.

Campaign Restrictions

Union and employer funds, resources, facilities, equipment, supplies, or paid time may not be used to promote any candidate in the election.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Campaigning while on time paid for by the union or an employer
• Using union or employer telephones, computers, email accounts, copy machines, vehicles, or other equipment
• Using union or employer supplies such as paper, stamps, or envelopes
• Using union employees to prepare campaign materials while on union time
• Using union letterhead, logos, or the membership list for campaigning
• Using union or employer property or facilities to conduct campaign activities or store or distribute campaign materials
• Using union publications to support or criticize a candidate
• Receiving free services or special discounts from a union or employer for campaign purposes

These restrictions apply even when the value involved is small and even when union officials or the employer did not know about or approve the use.

Candidates must be treated equally regarding opportunities to campaign. Members may support the candidates of their choice without penalty, discipline, or reprisal.

Voter Eligibility

To vote in the election, a member must be a Local 571 member in good standing as of September 30, 2026.

Members who are not in good standing as of that date and Agency Fee Objectors will not receive ballots or be eligible to vote.

Retirees are not eligible to vote.

Election Schedule

In-person voting will take place from Monday, December 14 through Friday, December 18, 2026, each day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.

Voting will be held at:

Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport
10000 O'Hare Ave.
Chicago, IL 60666

Members must present a driver's license, Employee ID, or another form of photo identification at the polls.

Eligible members will sign the voter register, receive a ballot, and vote by secret ballot using the voting booths provided.

Campaigning will not be permitted in the polling area during the election.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots will only be available to eligible voters who are on vacation during the in-person election.

Members who CS-Off during the election are not eligible for an absentee ballot and must vote in person.

The Election Committee will make absentee ballots available for pickup at the G1A/Driving Breakroom from November 16 through November 23, 2026, during the stated availability window of 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT.

Completed absentee ballots must be received by December 18, 2026 at 9:05 a.m. CT.

Absentee ballots will be counted with the remaining ballots on December 18.

Ballot Count

Ballots will be counted by the Election Committee after the polls close on December 18, 2026, beginning at approximately 5:00 p.m. CT at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport.

The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be elected for President, Recording Secretary, and Financial Secretary/Treasurer.

The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected Vice President.

The three candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected Executive Board Members at Large.

In the event of a tie, Local 571 will conduct a runoff election between the two top vote-getters.

Election Observers

Each candidate may appoint one observer, at the candidate's own expense, to be present at the polls and during the ballot count.

Observers must be Local 571 members in good standing.

Candidates must submit the name of their observer to the Election Committee by email no later than December 1, 2026.

Election Results

Following certification of the election results, the Election Committee will provide the results to the Local 571 Recording Secretary for publication on the TWU Local 571 website.

Questions, Problems, and Protests

Questions, requests, or reported violations concerning the election must be submitted in writing to the Election Committee.

A member in good standing who believes they were improperly denied the opportunity to become a candidate, or who believes the election was improperly conducted, may file a complaint with the Local Executive Board.

A complaint concerning denial of candidacy must be filed within 15 days of the denial.

A complaint concerning the conduct of the election must be filed within 15 days after the election results are made known.

Decisions of the Local Executive Board may be appealed to the International Committee on Appeals within 15 days of the decision under Article XXII of the TWU International Constitution. If the Local Executive Board does not issue a decision within 30 days, a member may also appeal to the International Committee on Appeals.

The Election Committee may issue additional election rules or clarifications during the nomination and election period as needed.

Official Election Rules

The information above is provided to make the Election Committee's rules easier to review online. Members should review the complete official document for the full rules and requirements governing the election.

View the official TWU Local 571 Election and Campaign Rules (PDF)