APA Election Guidelines for Candidates and Supporters

The intent of the guidelines is to encourage fair and open campaigning by APA members on a level playing field by (1) specifying permitted and prohibited election related activities, (2) fostering opportunities for candidates to educate their colleagues about the issues, (3) informing voters about candidate experiences and views, (4) keeping costs down, and (5) maintaining dignified and courteous conduct appropriate to the image of a profession. Candidates are to state their own positions on issues and their own plans for the Association directly and positively, but may not make personal attacks against their opponents. Third party endorsements in campaign communications are not allowed.

Candidates are to inform members they ask for support about the guidelines by sending a copy or calling attention to the guidelines on the APA Web site.

Campaigning (written or e-mail solicitation of votes or support) is not permitted until after Nominating Committee nominations are reported to the Board of Trustees. Members should withhold commitments of their final support or votes until after all candidates are known. Members circulating petitions to be nominated may not use the petition process for campaign/electioneering purposes beyond asking for signatures on petitions.

1. Compliance: Each candidate receives a copy of these guidelines and a statement to sign, certifying that he/she has read the guidelines; promises to abide by them; will immediately report any deviations of which he/she becomes aware to the Elections Committee; and will notify and try to correct any supporter upon learning of an actual or potential deviation. The Elections Committee investigates any potential violation by a candidate or supporter of which it becomes aware, and reports violations to the Board of Trustees. The procedures used by the Elections Committee to investigate and report campaign violations are in Chapter 2 of the Operations Manual and will be sent to candidates with these Election Guidelines.

When candidates or their supporters are unclear about whether an intended campaign action is permitted, they should seek the opinion of the Elections Committee before taking action. The Elections Committee will respond with a ruling concerning the proper interpretation of the guidelines and inform all candidates in order to maintain a "level playing field."

2. APA members in other organizations: All APA members are expected to abide by the APA Election Guidelines in APA elections, including in their capacity as officers and members of other organizations. APA requests that other organizations adhere to the intent of the campaign guidelines and provide fair and equitable coverage of opposing candidates.

3. Money/resources: Candidates/supporters must use their own resources for election activities. Fundraising is not permitted, nor is sharing of materials, such as letters, postcards, and stamps (with the exception of mailing addresses purchased from APA). Candidates/supporters may not organize campaign committees, and candidates may not enter into agreements to campaign together. Use of APA, Area Council/state association, or district branch resources or personnel is prohibited.

Candidates and their supporters using electronic media for campaign purposes are expected to comply with the guidelines set forth in Section A.

1. E-mail and list servers: There are no limits on the number of campaign messages sent by e-mail. E-mail used for campaign purposes must comply with the intent of the guidelines with regard to content and must start with the words "APA Campaigning" in the subject line. Obtaining e-mail addresses is the responsibility of the candidates and their supporters using resources only as specified in Section A.3. E-mail addresses are not to be provided by APA, Area Councils/state associations, or district branches. See also Section C.

Candidates may create their own list servers to facilitate communication with and among their supporters.

APA list servers are created for conducting the business of an APA component. Thus, no list server using APA technology (except for Member-to-Member) may be used for campaigning. This includes district branch and Area Council/state association list servers. List servers of other psychiatric organizations may be used for campaigning if permitted by those organizations.

2. APA's Web site: APA will include information on all candidates and on the election itself (campaign guidelines, ballot mailing and return dates, etc.) on its Web site. This election information can be accessed through the election logo and linked to other information as appropriate.

3. Candidates' homepages: APA will provide links from its Web site to the individual homepages of the candidates. Each candidate is responsible for setting up and financing his/her own homepage, as well as any campaign communication on Member-to-Member. Posting of third-party letters of support on candidate Web sites is prohibited. There will be a disclaimer on APA's Web site stating that candidates' homepages are their own creation and responsibility, and that APA takes no responsibility for information posted on them. APA reserves the right to cut the link between its Web site and a candidate's homepage if a candidate violates the campaign guidelines. No other individual, institutional, or organizational homepages will be used for campaigning.

1. Letters: Election "letters" include letters, postcards, and faxes asking for a member's election support. Single copies of a CV, fact sheet, and biography may be included with the election letters or mailed separately and are not included in the letter limits. Handouts may be made available at any meetings attended by the candidate.

1. Presentations: Candidates may attend no more than four mutual presentations with their opponent(s). All candidates must attend to present. Presentations made via proxy statements or modes other than physical attendance are prohibited. If all candidates have been given equal opportunity to attend and one cannot attend, the other candidate(s) may present, but must count the presentation as one of eight made in his/her professional capacity (see below). The annual presentation at the Assembly and its attendant Area Council and committee meetings counts as one of the four mutual presentations. In addition, grand rounds, lectures, presentations at APA meetings, and other kinds of presentations made in one's professional capacity should be limited to no more than eight during the campaign period. "Presentations" are those made to an audience with a significant number of psychiatrists, academic/psychiatric gatherings such as grand rounds, hospital lectures, etc. Running for office should not inhibit or prohibit candidates from conducting their usual professional business; every effort should be made to define "usual professional business" in the narrowest sense.

1. Money/resources: APA, Area Council/state association, or district branch funds, services, or staff may not be used to endorse, support, or promote any candidate; however, Area Council/state association, or district branch funds—not APA funds—may be used to support the expenses of candidates invited to the branch/Area meeting for election purposes (see #3 below). APA, Area Council/state association, or district branch organizational stationery may not be used. Candidates/supporters who hold appointed or elected APA, Area Council/state association, or district branch positions may refer to their titles in the body of the letter, but if they choose to sign the letter, they may not do so over their APA organizational title. Likewise, e-mails may not be "signed" using an APA organizational title.

2. Newsletters: Area Council/state association or district branch newsletters may announce as news items of up to 150 words per candidate the candidacy for national office or Area trustee of member(s) of that Area Council/state association or district branch, with pictures. Editorial endorsement of candidates is prohibited, as are letters to the editor in support of (or opposition to) candidates. Newsletters may print statements or other materials by or about a candidate only if they give equal opportunity to opposing candidates. Newsletters may not be distributed beyond the usual newsletter distribution.

3. Meetings: Candidates invited to attend Area Council/state association or district branch meetings to campaign may do so only if their opponent is also invited to the same meeting. Candidates making scientific presentations at Area Council/state association or district branch meetings must count them as one of their eight meetings and may not discuss election issues unless their opponents have been given an equal opportunity to do so.