Short answer: Not expressly. The ATU Constitution and General Laws (as amended 2025) list a secret ballot at the polls in person, a mail ballot, and an "option of using voting machines." Electronic voting is not named, and "voting machines" is not defined.
| Verdict | Lists methods that don't include electronic voting |
| Ratification / strike votes | Contract/offer votes: Leaves the method to local bylaws (the local executive board sets the conditions of a referendum under Sec. 13.14; under Sec. 20.3 local bylaws govern, with in-person or worksite voting as the default where bylaws are silent). Strike votes: Lists specific methods; electronic not among them (secret ballot, by referendum if needed to reach members, Sec. 20.2). Counsel to confirm whether these lists are exclusive. |
| Confidence | Medium |
| Last verified | 21 October 2026 |
What the text says
How local officer elections are run
"In the case of LUs whose members are employed on an over-the-road property, provisions shall be made in the LU’s bylaws for the making of nominations and for elections by mail, and in the case of other LUs, nominations may be made and elections may be conducted by mail at the discretion of the LU if the LU’s bylaws so provide."
"In the case of LUs whose bylaws provide for elections by mail, the 15-day mail notice requirement shall be met if the ballots are mailed to each LU member at the member’s last known home address at least fifteen (15) days before the time and date set for the return of the ballots."
"The election of all LU officers shall be by secret ballot. LUs shall have the privilege and option of using voting machines. When the election is to be held by voting at the polls, no member shall be entitled to vote unless the member is in good standing and presents themselves at the polls in person. Where in any LU an election is to be held by a mail ballot, a ballot shall be mailed to each LU member at the member’s last known home address."
Electronic, internet, phone or remote voting
"The election of international officers shall be by secret ballot with voting machines or booths provided."
"provided, however, that over-the-road LUs may conduct semi-annual executive board meetings if the LU bylaws so provide and also authorize the executive board to conduct business in between meetings by mail, wire or telephone."
International approval of local bylaws or election rules
"After adoption by the LU the bylaws, rules or amendments so adopted shall be forwarded to the IP for approval and must have the approval of the IP before going into effect. Any provisions of local bylaws or rules that conflict with the Constitution and General Laws are void."
Contract ratification and strike votes
"They shall have the authority to submit the results of negotiations on agreements or other matters of importance to the entire membership for a referendum vote of the members to be conducted under conditions and at times and places determined by the executive board."
"If, after consultation with the IP, it is determined that a strike vote shall be taken, the question of a strike shall be submitted to a secret ballot vote of the membership of the LU or JBC. If necessary to reach the membership of the LU or JBC, the ballot shall be taken by referendum, ballots being prepared and so distributed to give every member an opportunity to vote. A decision to strike requires a two-thirds vote of the membership voting on the question."
"If the LU or JBC has bylaws providing for a referendum vote of its membership, the international representative shall follow such provisions. If the LU or JBC has no bylaws governing such a vote, the international representative shall then make arrangements and have such votes taken in the best and easiest manner possible – either by appointing a special election day and having the membership come to the hall or headquarters of the LU or JBC and cast their vote, or through a committee who shall take the vote of the members at the different places of employment."
Open questions
Sec. 14.7 names secret ballot at the polls in person, mail ballot, and the 'option of using voting machines'; the text does not define 'voting machines' or say whether this list is exclusive, so whether it reaches remote electronic/internet voting needs counsel's view. Local bylaws, which may provide for mail elections, need the International President's approval (Sec. 13.2).
Context
- Mixed public/private membership: jurisdiction covers workers 'whether in public or private employment' (Sec. 1). The LMRDA covers only locals with private-sector (or postal) members.
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
Sources
- Amalgamated Transit Union Constitution and General Laws — As amended 2025 – Revised, Amended, and Adopted at the Sixty-First Convention, New York, NY, August 18-22, 2025. https://www.atu.org/members/downloadable-asset/ATUCGL_2025web.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
- ATU Constitution and General Laws filed with DOL OLMS (national HQ file no. 000-160), file 'ATU_CGL25_Web.pdf' — 2025 edition, received by OLMS 2026-09-28. https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=75748&rptForm=attachment (accessed 2026-10-21)
Not verified: Full-text keyword search found no mention of internet, online, telephone or remote voting. 'Electronic(ally)' appears only for funds transfers and for distributing copies of the constitution, and 'telephone' only for executive-board business. No ATU local-election manual was found. The atu.org copy and the OLMS-filed copy are both the 2025 edition; pages are cited from the atu.org PDF.
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.
Running an election under these rules? Talk through your next election — 15 minutes.