Can union locals vote online? What 40 international constitutions say

We read the current published constitution (and, where one exists, the local election manual) of the 40 international unions with the most locals filing with the Department of Labor, and quoted what each says about how local officers are elected. Last verified 21 October 2026.

What we found: 5: Electronic voting expressly permitted; 3: Electronic voting permitted with International approval; 17: Method left to local bylaws; 13: Lists methods that don't include electronic voting; 2: Prohibited by International rules.

How to read the verdicts

• Electronic voting expressly permitted: the text names electronic, internet or phone voting as allowed (sometimes with conditions).
• Permitted with International approval: another method, or electronic voting specifically, is allowed if an International officer or board approves it.
• Method left to local bylaws: the constitution sets no voting method; the local's bylaws decide, often subject to International approval of the bylaws.
• Lists methods that don't include electronic voting: the text names specific methods (in person, mail, machines) and electronic voting is not among them. Whether the list is exclusive is a question for counsel.
• Prohibited by International rules: an International document says local elections shall not be conducted electronically.
• Confidence: High = current official text from the union; Medium = official text, but from a copy posted by a local or chapter, or a newer convention may have amended it; Low = older or unofficial copy only.

The federal rules still apply

Federal law sits on top of every constitution. For unions covered by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), officer elections must meet Title IV's secret-ballot, notice and observer requirements however members vote. The Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) addresses remote electronic voting in its Compliance Tip Electing Union Officers Using Remote Electronic Voting Systems (updated December 10, 2024). The Tip describes safeguards for secrecy, observation and records, says it "does not offer unions safe harbor," and says each system is evaluated case by case. Federal-sector unions follow 29 CFR Part 458, which applies the same standards; postal unions are covered by the LMRDA. Locals made up entirely of state or local government employees are generally outside Title IV and follow state law and their own rules. OLMS Compliance Tip

Method and limits

• Every verdict rests on verbatim quotes from the union's own published governing documents (the union's website, a copy filed with the Department of Labor, or a copy posted by a local where the International's is members-only). Each page lists the edition and source. News and law-firm articles were used only as leads.
• Several unions held conventions in 2025–2026 whose amended constitutions were not yet published; each affected page says so.
• Local bylaws, International policies and Department of Labor decisions can change the answer for a particular local. Pages are re-checked after conventions.
• Compiled by Votem, which provides online, phone and mail election services to unions. We have quoted the text so you can check it yourself.

This page summarizes the published text of a union's governing documents. It is not legal advice and not an official interpretation by the union. Constitutions change at conventions, and locals' own bylaws matter. Confirm with your International and your counsel before changing how members vote. Spotted an error or a newer edition? Tell us at info@votem.com and we'll correct it.