Election Rules

General Election Rules

The slate of candidates will be posted on longleafpinerealtors.com on September 4.

Candidates may only begin campaigning after being notified that the slate of candidates has been posted on the Association website.

Starting September 28, 2026, online voting may be done at any time during the voting period through October 2.

To request nomination information or for any questions you may have, contact Mike Berk, Chief Executive Officer for the Association, at 910-323-1421 or email Mike Berk.

The ballots will be tabulated and certified at the close of the voting period on October 2.

  • In the Association election, the online voting system ensures that only eligible REALTOR® Members of the Longleaf Pine REALTORS® Association can access electronic ballots and vote, and restricts each REALTOR® to voting only once.
  • Electronic voting may be used only for members who have consented to receive electronic communications in accordance with applicable state requirements. Members who have not consented to electronic communications must be provided with a written ballot or other non-electronic means to vote.
  • All votes must be cast before the close of the voting period.
  • All votes are considered confidential.
  • Candidates receiving the largest number of votes cast are elected, except that when three or more candidates are vying for one seat, and no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a run-off election between the top two vote-getters for that seat shall be held to determine the winner.

2027 Board of Directors Election Process

Due to the recent changes to our bylaws, this year’s Director election will be a little different. Five Director seats will be filled through this election: three carrying three-year terms, one carrying a two-year term, and one carrying a one-year term.

The election process will be conducted as follows:

  1. Candidates will be listed on the ballot in alphabetical order by last name.
  2. Electronic voting will take place from September 28 through October 2.
  3. Members will be asked to vote for no more than five candidates.
  4. The five candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the Board of Directors.
  5. Following the election, the successful candidates will select their preferred term length in order of the number of votes received, beginning with the candidate receiving the highest number of votes.

Qualifications of Leadership Candidates

Beginning in 2027, the elected Officers of the Association shall be: a President, a President-Elect, a Secretary-Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President. They shall serve for a term of one (1) year per position. The President-Elect shall automatically succeed to the position of President in the year after his or her term without the necessity of standing for election. To be eligible for election to President-Elect, the candidate must have served in some capacity on the Board of Directors for a minimum of one (1) year within the last five (5) years.

Nomination of Officers, Directors, and MLS Committee Candidates

At least two months before the annual election, a nominating committee of five (5) REALTOR® Members shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The nominating committee shall select one or more candidates for each office, one or more candidates for each place to be filled on the Board of Directors, and the MLS Committee.

To be eligible for nomination for Director, a candidate must have no less than three (3) consecutive years of REALTOR® Membership in the Association as of January 1 following election; be a member in good standing; be free of unresolved ethics and arbitration matters; not have been involuntarily removed from office in the last ten (10) years; and have served one complete term of service on two different Association committees within the last five (5) years.

To be eligible to serve as an Officer, a candidate must have no less than three (3) consecutive years of REALTOR® Membership in the Association as of January 1 following election; be a member in good standing; be free of unresolved ethics and arbitration matters; not have been involuntarily removed from office in the last ten (10) years; and meet at least two of the following criteria:

  • Served one complete term of service on two different Association committees within the last five (5) years.
  • Completed a full term of service in an elected LPR position.
  • Served at least one full year on the Association’s Board of Directors within the last five (5) years.
  • Graduated from one of the following leadership academies: Longleaf Pine REALTORS®, NC REALTORS®, or the National Association of REALTORS®.

The report of the nominating committee shall be mailed or, where permitted by State law, electronically transmitted to each REALTOR® Member eligible to vote at least three weeks preceding the election. Additional candidates for the offices to be filled may be placed in nomination by a petition signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the REALTOR® Members. The petition shall be filed with the Chief Executive Officer at least two (2) weeks before the election. The Chief Executive Officer shall send notice of such additional nominations to all members eligible to vote before the election. To be placed on the ballot by petition, the candidate must meet the same eligibility requirements as those mentioned elsewhere in this Article.

Election of Officers, Directors, and MLS Committee

The election of Officers and Directors shall take place in person, by written ballot, or electronically annually, prior to December 1. Electronic voting may be used only for members who have consented to receive electronic communications in accordance with applicable state requirements. Members who have not consented to electronic communications must be provided with a written ballot or other non-electronic means to vote. No Officer, Director, or MLS Committee Member shall succeed him or herself other than the Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer may succeed him or herself one (1) time. In accordance with applicable state requirements, the election may be conducted in accordance with any procedures established by the Board of Directors. Candidates receiving the largest number of votes cast are elected, except that in any case in which three or more candidates are vying for one seat and a majority of votes is not secured by one candidate, a run-off election between the top two vote-getters for that seat shall be held to determine the winner. In the event of a tie vote, the election shall be decided by lot.

Sanford Council Director

The Sanford Council Director shall be selected by the Sanford Council in such manner as the Council may determine, and the Sanford Council Director shall not be subject to the requirements set forth elsewhere in this Article.

Counting the Vote

At the close of the voting period on October 2, the votes will be tabulated, certified, and the candidates will be notified.

In the event of a tie vote, the election shall be decided by lot. The appropriate Association leadership will be notified of the results, followed by the candidates, and the results will be posted on the Association website, longleafpinerealtors.com, once all candidates have been notified.

  • The results will also be published in a special edition of “The Week” and on all social media outlets.
  • Any protest must be lodged within ten days of the election.
  • All votes will be considered confidential.