Legal Definitions - tellers committee

A tellers committee is a designated group of individuals responsible for accurately counting votes, ballots, or other forms of expression of choice in a formal setting. Their primary role is to ensure the integrity, fairness, and transparency of the voting process, often reporting the final results to a presiding officer or the larger body.

• Example 1: Corporate Shareholder Meeting

  During an annual general meeting for a publicly traded company, shareholders vote on various proposals, such as electing new board members or approving executive compensation. A tellers committee, typically composed of independent auditors or trusted employees, is appointed to collect and count all proxy votes and ballots cast in person. They meticulously tally the votes for each resolution and candidate, then present the certified results to the company secretary or the CEO, who then announces them to the shareholders. This illustrates the term because the committee is specifically tasked with counting the votes to determine the outcome of the corporate decisions.

• Example 2: Labor Union Election

  When a large labor union holds elections for its executive board positions, such as president, vice-president, and treasurer, a tellers committee is established. This committee, often made up of union members not running for office, is responsible for overseeing the distribution, collection, and counting of ballots to ensure a fair and impartial election. They might verify member eligibility, secure the ballot boxes, and then meticulously count each vote, often under observation from candidate representatives. Their final report confirms who has been elected to each position, demonstrating their role in accurately determining election results.

• Example 3: Professional Association Conference

  At the annual conference of a national professional association, members might vote on amendments to the association's bylaws or elect new members to its governing council. A tellers committee is formed from volunteers or staff members to manage this process. They distribute voting slips, collect them after members have cast their votes, and then carefully count each vote for every proposed change or candidate. Once the counting is complete, they provide the official tally to the conference chair, who then announces whether the bylaws have been amended or who has been elected to the council. This shows the committee's function in ensuring an accurate and transparent voting process for organizational governance.