In accordance with the AFA Constitution & Bylaws, your new Local Council will soon nominate and elect Flight Attendants as your AFA Leaders. The two (2) positions being elected for Council 35 (Virgin America–JFK/LAX/SFO) are Local Council President and Local Council Secretary. The current Local Council Officers who were appointed when the Local Council was created will transition responsibilities to the Flight Attendants who are elected to these two positons.
The Council 35 Election page can be found at http://afacwa-elections.org/councils/ala-council-35-sfo-lax-jfk/.
Within AFA, Local Council Officer elections are a two-part process. The first step is to nominate candidates for office from amongst the Flight Attendants at your Local Council and the second step is to elect officers from the nominated candidates. This communication will focus on the first step, the upcoming nomination process.
Nomination Schedule
| Mail Date | 06/19/2017 | Voting packets are mailed to each Flight Attendant. This contains your personal 16-digit activation code. |
| Polls Open | 06/22/2017 12:00 PM EDT |
The polls are open and voting begins. |
| Polls Close | 07/12/2017 12:00 PM EDT |
The polls close and the count takes place. |
Electronic Balloting Information
Both the nomination process and election ballots are conducted through Votenet Solutions, a third-party vendor. The direct web address is https://eballotuv.votenet.com/afa/. The AFA Election site at http://www.afacwa-elections.org/ will address additional questions and provide information regarding the ballot.
For the nomination ballot, the process is conducted completely online. You will be nominating your elected leaders from a list of all Flight Attendants in your Local Council. For the election process where you will be selecting leaders from those nominated, ballots may be cast either online or by telephone.
Voting Instructions for Nomination Ballots
All Council 35 Flight Attendants will receive a voting packet by mail. This packet contains the instructions for casting your ballot along with a 16-digit activation code which allows you to access the ballot. If you have already completed an AFA membership application, you will be able to log into the ballot, select your choices for the two positions and cast your vote.
If you have not completed an AFA membership application, you will not be able to cast your vote right away. You will need to contact AFA Membership Services in order to complete your application and have your ballot activated.
The 16-Digit Authorization Code
The voting packet includes a 16-digit authorization code. This code allows you to obtain a username and password which is your voting credentials for that ballot only. This ensures that no one at Votenet or AFA has access to your voting credentials. New activation codes are sent for each and every ballot.
To Activate
- Enter the 16-digit code you received on the front page of the Votenet website
- The site will generate a username and ask you to create a password.
- Write the username and password down
Once a Flight Attendant obtains their username and password they may proceed to vote.
Ballot Help Line
The AFA-CWA Membership Services Department handles all voter questions and issues new activation codes should you misplace yours. The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time. If you have a question or need a new 16-digit activation code, you may contact the Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, then press 1 and dial extension 706.
If your call goes to voicemail, please leave a message and someone will call you back.
Count Day
The ballot will end and no additional votes may be cast after the end date and time listed on the Voting Instructions. The time will always be listed as Eastern time, NOT your local time. The opening and closing dates of the ballot are set in accordance with the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws.
The counting of the electronic ballots is conducted in accordance with the AFA Constitution & Bylaws by the Ballot Certification Committee.
Each person who has completed a Commitment to Serve and received at least 2 nominations will appear on the election ballot.
Commitment to Serve
Each Flight Attendant who wishes to run for office must complete a Commitment to Serve (http://afacwa-elections.org/commitment-to-serve-form/) in order to be eligible to appear on the election ballot. If a Flight Attendant receives two nominations and has not completed a Commitment to Serve, AFA Membership Services will contact those people on the count day and allow them to complete the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who receives the Voting Notice and Instructions (Ballot Packet)?
A: All Flight Attendants in your Local Council will receive the voting packet including Flight Attendants who have not completed a membership application.
Q: If I change my mind after I cast my ballot, can I revote?
A: No, once you cast your ballot your credentials are separated from your vote. This way no one can see how anyone casts a ballot.
Q: Can a person who has not completed a membership application vote?
A: No. They will receive a voting packet but if their membership application is not on file then they will be stopped from casting a ballot. However, you may contact AFA-CWA Membership Service to complete a membership application and once completed you will be eligible to vote.
Q: Who do Flight Attendants call if they did not receive the Voting Notice with the 16-digit authorization code?
A: The AFA Ballot Help Line at 800-424-2401, press 1 and dial extension 706. The Ballot Help Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.
