As a member-run union, Local 1000 relies on its elected officers and representatives to choose the direction we take in our fight for better wages and working conditions. Our leaders are at the forefront of organizing our efforts to give our members—and all Californians—the opportunity to have a good life, live in sustainable communities, and enjoy the fruits of social, economic, and environmental justice.

Our member leadership team determines the priorities of Local 1000. We work together to engage our 96,000 members to enforce our hard-earned contract rights, strengthen the middle class, and give power back to working families.

As a member-run union, Local 1000 relies on its elected officers and representatives to choose the direction we take in our fight for better wages and working conditions. Our leaders are at the forefront of organizing our efforts to give our members—and all Californians—the opportunity to have a good life, live in sustainable communities, and enjoy the fruits of social, economic, and environmental justice.

Our member leadership team determines the priorities of Local 1000. We work together to engage our 96,000 members to enforce our hard-earned contract rights, strengthen the middle class, and give power back to working families.

Changes in the 2024 Leadership Elections

Two statewide vice president positions have been eliminated. The duties of the Vice President for Bargaining will transfer to the Chief Negotiator, who will be selected by a vote of the Bargaining Unit Chairs. The duties of the Vice President for Organizing/Representation will be distributed to other leaders and staff.

Ranked-choice voting will be used to elect the Local 1000 President and Vice President/Secretary-Treasurer. This process allows union voters to select candidates that more accurately represent their preferences and ensures the winning candidate will receive 50% +1 (a majority) vote.


Ranked Choice Voting and FAQ

Approved by the Local 1000 Election Committee (read more here)

In the case of statewide officers, the following ranked choice voting rules shall apply:

  • Voters rank the candidates for a given office by indicating up to three preferences on their ballots, using the following steps:
    • Step 1: Choose your top candidate. This is your first choice candidate and will be the vote that is considered first.
    • Step 2: If you have a second choice( not required), you may select another candidate. This must be different from your first choice candidate.
    • Step 3: If you have a third choice (not required), you may choose another selection. This must be different from your first and second choices.
  • Ranked-choice voting will not be utilized when there are only two candidates and an outright majority of votes (i.e., 50 percent plus one) for a candidate will be declared the winner.
  • If a candidate wins an outright majority of first-preference votes (i.e., 50 percent plus one), the candidate will be declared the winner.
  • If, on the other hand, no candidate wins an outright majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and the counting proceeds to another round.
    • All first-preference votes for the eliminated candidate are also eliminated lifting the next- preference choices indicated on those ballots and counting them as first-preference ballots for the next highest ranked candidate in the same round.
  • In each new round a tally of active ballots is conducted to determine whether any candidate has won a majority of ballots.
  • The process is repeated until a candidate wins the majority in a round (i.e., 50 percent plus one).
  • In ranked-choice voting, in the case of a tie in the final round, the winner shall be determined by lot. In traditional voting, in the case of ties among candidates, the winner shall be determined by lot.

Ranked-choice voting FAQ

1) Can I vote for only one candidate?

Yes, but please choose them as your first choice (and do not also choose them as the second or third choice.) You’re welcome to rank up to 3 choices (but they must be different candidates). Your ballot initially counts only for your top choice, no matter how many other candidates you ranked. Voting for just one candidate (also known as “bullet voting”) means that if your first choice is eliminated, your ballot becomes “inactive” or “exhausted” and does not count in future rounds.

Your second or third choice will only be used if your first choice has already been eliminated.

2) What happens to my favorite candidate if I rank a second choice?

Ranking other candidates does not affect your first choice. Your vote counts for your first choice unless they are eliminated during the round-by-round count. Your second choice only counts if your first choice is eliminated. It’s a “backup choice” in case your favorite candidate doesn’t win. The same is true with your next choice.

3) What happens if I vote for the same person more than once?

Only your first choice will be counted, and your remaining attempts to vote for the same person again, will be inactive.

4) What happens if there is tie for the lowest vote prior to the final round?

All candidates that share the lowest vote count would be eliminated.