(a) All credit unions should actively promote member participation in elections and other membership votes as long as the costs are reasonable and the integrity of the vote is not compromised. Any credit union instituting alternative procedures or systems to benefit members who find it difficult or inconvenient to vote at annual or special meetings must ensure that the alternative is thoroughly explained and publicized so that all members will be able to take advantage of those procedures or systems.     
      (b) The board of directors, before holding an election or other membership vote that uses electronic balloting, early voting, absentee voting, or mail balloting, shall establish written election rules, including procedures to: control, tabulate and retain ballots; identify invalid ballots; and handle disputed election results and tie votes.     
      (c) Any elections or other membership vote using electronic balloting, early voting, absentee voting, or mail balloting are subject to the following conditions:      
        (1) The election tellers shall be appointed by the board of directors;       
        (2) At least 30 days prior to the annual or special meeting, the board of directors will cause either a printed ballot or notice of a ballot, along with appropriate instructions, to be mailed to all members eligible to vote;       
        (3) Completed electronic or mail ballots cast during early or absentee voting must be received prior to convening the annual or special meeting;       
        (4) The votes will be tallied by the tellers and the results of the vote will be made public at the annual or special meeting.       
      (d) In the event of a malfunction of the electronic balloting system, the board of directors may in its discretion order elections or other vote to be held by mail ballot only. The board may make reasonable adjustments to the voting time frames in subsection (c) of this section, or postpone the annual or special meeting if necessary, to complete the elections prior to the annual or special meeting.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §91.302 adopted to be effective August 15, 1984, 9 TexReg 4270; amended to be effective July 8, 1994, 19 TexReg 4929; amended to be effective November 13, 2000, 25 TexReg 11278; amended to be effective November 14, 2004, 29 TexReg 10253; amended to be effective July 13, 2008, 33 TexReg 5295