Decision to 3-31-23 Election Protest

The Elections Committee received a formal protest on March 31, 2023, alleging that Tisha Hill- Smith
is ineligible to hold Chief Steward for Region VI. In addition, the protest asked for confirmation that
the incumbent resigned her position in advance of accepting her nomination. The committee
reviewed the evidence and has determined that the seat of Chief Steward for Region VI shall be
vacated.

The committee came to this decision based upon the following:

1. The election committee has confirmed that Ms. Hill-Smith resigned her position as a
member of the election committee on or about March 27th, 2023.

2. According to current records Tisha Hill-Smith’s work location is outside of the region she has
been appointed to.

Current records show that Ms. Hill-Smith works at the Department of Rehabilitation in
Stockton. This work location is outside of region VI which encompasses the Central Valley
(Merced to Tehachapi). This is defined in Article IX, Sections 1 and 2. The nomination that was
received for this position was confirmed to be outside of the region therefore, her
appointment to the office was found to be invalid.

Sincerely,

Wanda Wullschleger
Elections Committee Chair- AFSCME Local 2620
CC: AFSCME Local 2620 Elections Committee

Official correspondence was sent out to the membership via eblast on Monday, May 1, 2023. The content of this memo can be viewed in full as a pdf file here: Bowsher, Kathleen – 4-29-2023 Protest Decision

Decision to 3-30-23 Election Protest

The Elections Committee received a protest from Denise Nicks dated March 30, 2023, that reads in full as:

“I am protesting the certified election results that elects anyone to the Physician Assistant Occupational Committee Chair on the basis that no such position exists within Local 2620.

Please do your due diligence and the right thing and look at the constitution and the website to learn that this is an unconstitutional elected position.”

The elections committee rejects the protest for the following reasons:

1. The AFSCME Local2620 Constitution states that the executive board is authorized to appoint additional occupational committees.

Please refer to Article VII, Section I, which states in part, “New Occupational Committees may be formed at the request of members in a given or related work classification(s). Such requests shall be submitted to the executive board for approval.”

2. Secondly, the Executive Board during its meeting held via Zoom on September 17th at 10:00 approved the establishment of the Physician Assistants Occupational Committee, including the appointment of a chair.

The meeting minutes for that date provide evidence of the motion’s approval by roll call vote, with 7 yes votes, 2 no votes and 3 abstentions. The motion was passed. It is important to note that the newly formed committee has received official recognition by AFSCME Local 2620. The current AFSCME Local 2620 constitution will be updated to reflect this change.

The content of this memo can be viewed in full as a pdf file here: Elections Committee-Denise Nicks protest.pdf.

Official 2020 General Election Results – SOUTHERN VICE-PRESIDENT

Notice of October 12, 2020 Final Election Results for the following:                       (WINNER IS IN BOLD)

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Southern Vice President Joseph Greene 172 1 173 40.3263
Southern Vice President John Xiong-Chapman 161 1 162  
Southern Vice President Darrin Snyder 93 1 94

 

***John Xiong-Chapman withdrew from run-off election on 10/13/2020***

***Per International Election Manual, “If no candidate received a majority, a run-off election must be held for that office.”

 

 

Official 2020 General Election Results

American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 2620

Notice of October 12, 2020 Final Election Results for the following:

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
President Shukimba Carlis 242   242 51.8201
President Eric Young 188 3 191
President Joseph DiBenedetto 34 34

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Northern Vice President Chelsea Harris 288 1 289 67.366
Northern Vice President William Foreman 139 1 140

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Southern Vice President Joseph Greene 172 1 173 40.3263
Southern Vice President John Xiong-Chapman 161 1 162  
Southern Vice President Darrin Snyder 93 1 94

***Per International Election Manual, “If no candidate received a majority, a run-off election must be held for that office.” Run-off mailing/ electronic voting opens on October 19, 2020.

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Secretary Janelle Fisher 215 1 216 50.116
Secretary Tawny Williams 131 131
Secretary Emiko Bell 82 2 84

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Treasurer Sally Heredia 233 1 234 54.8009
Treasurer Christopher Enriquez 191 2 193

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes
Trustees Yok Choi 256 1 257
Trustees Cyndrya Hopkins 224 2 226
Trustees Wanda Wullschleger 202 3 205
Trustees Evan Graff 181 1 182
Trustees Sherri Tanferani 140 1 141
Trustees Stephen Gutknecht 105 105

*** 3 candidates with most votes elected***

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Facility Chief Steward – Patton State Hospital Ballot Mona Mosk 34   34 59.6491
Facility Chief Steward – Patton State Hospital Ballot Darrel Charbaszcz 23 23

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Regional Chief Steward – Region V Bay Area Ballot Brandi Brooks 11   11 52.381
Regional Chief Steward – Region V Bay Area Ballot Tiffany Freymiller 6 6
Regional Chief Steward – Region V Bay Area Ballot Susan Neeson 3 1 4

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Licensing Program Analysts Committee Chairperson (LPAOC) Alex Pitz 12 1 13 59.0909
Licensing Program Analysts Committee Chairperson (LPAOC) Evangelica Torres 8 1 9

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Committee Chairperson (VROC) Tisha Hill-Smith 40   40 65.5738
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Committee Chairperson (VROC) Erika Ortiz 21 21

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Rehabilitation Therapist (RTOC) Kathleen Bowsher 69   69 51.1111
Rehabilitation Therapist (RTOC) Denise Nicks 66 66

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes Percentage
Individual Program Coordinators Committee Chairperson (IPOC) Lisa Smith 3   3 100
Individual Program Coordinators Committee Chairperson (IPOC) Lisa Freeman 0 0

 

Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes
Council 57 Delegates Yok Choi 229 1 230
Council 57 Delegates Eric Young 204 1 205
Council 57 Delegates Victor Pacheco 196 3 199
Council 57 Delegates Janelle Fisher 196 2 198
Council 57 Delegates Chelsea Harris 188   188
Council 57 Delegates Kathleen Bowsher 162   162
Council 57 Delegates Denise Nicks 145 2 147
Council 57 Delegates Wanda Wullschleger 146   146
Council 57 Delegates Cyndrya Hopkins 142 142
Council 57 Delegates Tawny Williams 140 140
Council 57 Delegates Lisa Smith 133 2 135
Council 57 Delegates Evan Graff 111 2 113
Council 57 Delegates Joseph DiBenedetto 112 112
Council 57 Delegates Christopher Enriquez 111 1 112
Race Candidate/Choice Electronic Votes Paper Votes Total Votes
Council 57 Delegates Sherri Tanferani 96 96
Council 57 Delegates Lisa Sebasco 90 3 93
Council 57 Delegates Julissa Barton 92 92
Council 57 Delegates Cheryl Kidd 75 75
Council 57 Delegates Stephen Gutknecht 73 2 75
Council 57 Delegates Alison Stanley 70 1 71
Council 57 Delegates Stacey Williams 67 1 68
Council 57 Delegates Andrew Rhodes 53 2 55
Council 57 Delegates Gabrielle David 48 48
Council 57 Delegates Julio Rivera 41 41
Council 57 Delegates Khristy Warch 36 1 37

**6 candidates with most votes elected***

 

Ballot Mailing Summary:

  • Roster with 3,552 eligible voters was provided to Yes Elections.
  • Of those, 3,403 had a last known home address on file and were mailed a paper notice with instructions to vote.
  • 2,461 had an email address on file and were sent a notice by email as well.
  • During the polling period 4 additional voters not on the initial list were determined to be eligible members and were added to the eligible list (totaling 3,556).
  • 8 voters requested and were mailed a paper ballot.

Ballot Counting Summary:

  • 480 electronic ballots counted
  • 3 paper ballots received and counted
  • 1 envelope received but not counted for the following reason:

-Original ballot returned by post office. Post office did not indicate reason for returning. Address format confirmed to be correct.

If you have questions please email, Rene Eller, Elections Chair, at elections@afscmelocal2620.org.

Election Committee

Rene Eller, Chair, Central Region

Katie Franco, Southern Region

Arely Godoy, Southern Region

Official Notice of Nominations and Elections

Official Notice of Nominations and Elections for the 2020-2022 Term

In accordance with the Constitution of AFSCME Local 2620, the elections for the Officers and the Executive Board of the Local occur in two consecutive phases.

Nominations for the following positions open on August 18, 2020

President, Northern Vice President (Executive), Southern Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, 3 Trustees, 8 Council 57 Delegates, Regional/Facility Chief Stewards and Occupational Committee Chairpersons.

Nominations close on September 1, 2020, at 5:00 PM by email

2020 General Election

President

Northern Vice President (Executive)

Southern Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

3 Trustees

8 Council 57 Delegates

6 Facility Chief Stewards                               11 Regional Chief Stewards

Atascadero State Hospital                            Redwood Empire       Central Coast

Coalinga State Hospital                                 Shasta                         Los Angeles

Metropolitan State Hospital                         Sacramento                Orange/Inland Empire

Napa State Hospital                                       Vacaville Facilities      San Diego/Imperial

Patton State Hospital                                    Bay Area                     Stockton Facilities

Porterville Developmental Center                Central Valley

10 Occupational Committee Chairpersons

State Psychologists (SPOC)                           Licensing Program Analysts (LPAOC)

Dieticians and Nutritionists (DNOC)             Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VROC)

Physical Medicine (PMOC)                            Rehabilitation Therapists (RTOC)

Pharmacists (PharmOC)                                Individual Program Coordinators (IPCOC)

Social Workers (SWOC)                                 Chaplains (CHOC)

 

VIEW THE FULL NOTICE FOR NOMINATIONS    <–CLICK TO VIEW

Official DNOC and LPAOC Election Results AFSCME LOCAL 2620

Dieticians/Nutritionists Occupational Chair:
A total of two nominations were received, both nominations were for Angela L. Dawson.

Angela L. Dawson has been duly elected.

Licensing Program Analysts Occupational Chair:
A total of two nominations were received, both nominations were for Cynthia Brannon.

Cynthia Brannon has been duly elected.

Sincerely,

2019 Elections Committee
Rene’ Eller, Chair
Desirrae Blount
Jeff Thompson
Laura Rosa

Patton State Hospital Facility Chief Runoff Election Results #2

Official Ballot Results

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

Local 2620

 

Notice of Final Election Results #2 for the following:

Patton State Hospital Facility Chief Steward

 

The results are certified as follows:

Patton State Hospital

Darrel Charbaszcz  37 – Duly Elected
Joseph Greene 36

 

TOTAL NUMBER OF ENVELOPES RECEIVED FROM THE POST OFFICE

102

 

ENVELOPES NOT OPENED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

Envelopes meant  for  prior election 25
Ballots noted to be out of the secret ballot  1
Envelopes sent to a wrong mailbox address  2

 

TOTAL NUMBER OF ENVELOPES OPENED

73

 

ENVELOPES OPENED BUT BALLOTS  NOT COUNTED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

A secret envelope was signed  1

 

The Elections Committee:

/S/ Lenaea Sanders, Chair, Northern Region

    Rene Eller, Central Region

/s/ Foresteen Forbes, Southern Region

    Cathy Sapata, Northern Region  

 

Patton State Hospital Facility Chief Runoff Protest Response

11/15/2018

 The Election Committee has considered the following protest questions regarding the Patton State Hospital Facility Chief 2nd Election and our responses are as follows:

 

  1. Was each protest received within the 10-day deadline as stated in Appendix D Section 4 of the election manual?

Yes. The dual protest was received on October 9, 2018.

 

  1. Did each protester individually submit a protest?

No. There is no mention in any of the AFSCME reference materials that requires protests be separate.

  

  1. What was the date for each protest submitted by protesters?

The dual protest was received on October 9, 2018.

  

  1. What are the names of each member who submitted a protest?

There is no mention in any of the AFSCME reference materials that requires names of the protestors be provided.

  

  1. In what format did each protester submit their protest e.g., email, certified letter?

The dual protest was received via fax and signed by both parties.

 

  1. Was the election committee provided with evidence by each protester e.g., postmarked envelope ?

No. The Election Committee does not require members provide proof that they did not receive their first ballot when requesting a duplicate ballot.

  

  1. Did the committee rely on hearsay or evidence to make the decision for a new election?

The Election Committee made this decision based on the AFSCME Local Union Election Manual (p. 25).

  

  1. Can the committee provide a convincing reason to the Patton constituents that a new election is required based on evidence and the election manual rules?

Due to the close nature of this race and limited amount of voters, the two protester’s votes could have changed the outcome of this election as there were only 2 votes separating the candidates. The AFSCME Local Union Election Manual, (p. 25) allows for a new election to be held if the protest could have affected the outcome of the election.

  

  1. Who is responsible for initially sending the incorrect ballots to each protester and is there a “postmarked envelope and ballot” as evidence?

The Elections Committee in conjunction with the office staff. The Election Committee does not require members to provide proof that they did not receive their first ballot when requesting a duplicate ballot.

  

  1. Who is responsible for allegedly not sending the correct ballots in a timely manner?

The Elections Committee in conjunction with the office staff mail out ballots.

  

  1. Is there a record of the date and manner of request by each protester for the correct ballot e.g. by mail, phone, email?

Prior to the last date to request a duplicate ballot, the protesters submitted via email their requests for a new ballot.

 

  1. Why was each protest with protesters names never officially posted within the 10-day deadline following the election?

There is no mention in any of the AFSCME reference materials that requires names of the protestors to be provided. In addition, The Election Committee has 30 days to respond to any given protest.

 

  1. To show transparency why was the election committee’s response to the protests never publicly posted on the website for members to review?

There is no mention in any of the AFSCME reference materials that requires protests and/or responses to protests to be publicly posted.

  

In Unity,

 

/s/: Lenaea Sanders 

Election Committee Chair

Election Committee

/s/: Cathy Sapata

/s/: Foresteen Forbes

/s/: Rene Eller

Northern Vice-President Protest

11/15/2018

Response to Protest regarding the Northern Vice President Election To the members of the Elections Committee,

This is a protest regarding the general election for Northern Vice-President. I am filing a protest under Article V, Section 4 of the AFSCME Local 2620 Constitution. (I have copied this Article below for your reference.) As shown below, this article states that any representative designated as “northern” (in my case, the Northern Vice-President) must have a work address above the line stated, whereas all representatives designated as “southern” shall have a work address south of this line. During this election, ballots for Northern Vice-President were sent to members whose work addresses are south of this line. Historically, members who work south of the designated line did not vote for the Northern Vice-President because those members work outside of the region listed. As the Northern Vice-President is NOT an at-large position, members whose work addresses are south of this line should only have been able to vote for Southern Vice-President.

The Election Committee has considered this protest and our decision is as follows:

The request for the election of the Northern Vice-President be re-run is denied based on the answers below.

The specified Article that you have referenced pertains to “all elected representatives,” and the Duly Elected Northern and Southern Vice President “have a work address which is north of an east-west line drawn across California, which intersects the cities of Owenyo and Avila Beach, and the “southern” representative shall have a work address south of this line.” In addition, nowhere in the Article you referenced does it stipulate that members only be allowed to vote according to the Northern/Southern boundary lines, as you can see below.

For the purpose of this constitution, all elected representatives designated as “northern” shall have a work address which is north of an east-west line drawn across California, which intersects the cities of Owenyo and Avila Beach, and the “southern” representative shall have a work address south of this line (Constitution for AFSCME Local Union 2620, page 3).

In addition, the runoff election is a continuation of the General Election and the office of Northern and Southern Vice Presidents were on the General Ballot with the same rules for candidacy and were sent to the membership at large. At the time of the initial election, there were no issues raised about the appropriateness of the entire membership voting on these positions.

 

In Unity,

Election Committee Chair

/s/: Lenaea Sanders

Election Committee

/s/: Cathy Sapata

/s/: Foresteen Forbes

/s/: Rene Eller

Protest regarding Patton State Hospital Facility Chief Steward Election

(The following message was emailed to membership email addresses on file via Constant Contact on November  2 at 6:30am)
Attention:
There was a protest filed regarding the Facility Chief Steward election for Patton State Hospital.
Two members reported that they were sent incorrect ballots and did not receive the correct ballots in a timely manner and therefore were not provided with an opportunity to vote.
Based on these reports, the Election Committee has upheld the protest and a new election must be conducted for the affected Members.
The ballots will be sent via postal mail based on the timelines listed in the last runoff ballot.
Patton State Hospital members, please stay tuned for more information regarding this.
Thank you