Legal Definitions - nomination

Nomination refers to the formal act of proposing or designating an individual for a specific role, position, award, or status. It is the initial step in a process where a person is put forward for consideration, often leading to an election, appointment, or selection.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of nomination:

• Political Candidate Selection: During a political party's primary election, party members formally propose a specific individual to be their candidate for a gubernatorial race. This proposal is then voted upon by the party members to determine who will represent them in the general election.

  This illustrates nomination as the act of proposing a person for election to a public office. The formal proposal puts that individual forward for consideration by the party, initiating the process of selecting their representative.

• Professional Award Recognition: A national engineering society opens submissions for its annual "Lifetime Achievement Award." A senior engineer submits the name of a long-time colleague, detailing their significant contributions to the field and why they deserve the honor.

  In this context, nomination refers to the act of designating a person for an award. The submission formally puts the colleague's name forward for evaluation by the award committee, beginning the selection process.

• Corporate Board Appointment: The existing board of directors for a technology company needs to fill a vacant independent director position. During a board meeting, one director formally suggests a particular business leader, outlining their relevant experience and expertise, and proposes them for appointment to the board.

  This demonstrates nomination as the act of proposing a person for appointment to an office or position. The director's formal suggestion puts the individual's name before the board for their consideration and vote.