Short answer: It's up to the local's bylaws. The IBEW Constitution (2022) says the local "shall decide the manner in which the nominations and elections shall be held" in its bylaws, which need International President approval. IBEW's own coverage of its September 2026 convention reports that an amendment to allow secure online election tools was not adopted, with the Law Committee noting the constitution already leaves the manner of elections to local bylaws.
| Verdict | Method left to local bylaws |
| Confidence | Medium |
| Last verified | 21 October 2026 |
What the text says
How local officer elections are run
"The L.U. shall decide the manner in which the nominations and elections shall be held, and such shall be stated in the L.U. bylaws. This shall not conflict with the I.B.E.W. Constitution. There shall be one (1) judge, who shall be selected by the method stated in the L.U. bylaws ... There shall be as many tellers as necessary, who shall be selected by the method stated in the L.U. bylaws."
"Elections of officers shall be held in the month of June of election years as provided in the L.U. bylaws. However, the I.P. may grant special dispensation to hold the elections in a different month and to extend the time for conducting the elections when the I.P. is satisfied good cause is shown. ... Each L.U. shall set a definite date and time for the elections."
Electronic, internet, phone or remote voting
"At all elections when it becomes necessary to have an electronic, secret ballot vote, the presiding officer shall appoint an election judge and, if necessary, tellers."
International approval of local bylaws or election rules
"L.U.'s are empowered to make their own bylaws and rules, but these shall in no way conflict with this Constitution. Where any doubt appears, this Constitution shall be supreme. All bylaws, amendments and rules, all agreements, jurisdiction, etc., of any kind or nature, shall be submitted to the I.P. ... for approval. No L.U. shall put into effect any bylaw, amendment, rule, or agreement of any kind without first securing such approval. All these shall be null and void without I.P. approval."
"The I.P. has the right to correct any bylaws, amendments, rules, or agreements to conform to this Constitution and the policies of the I.B.E.W."
"All L.U. bylaws or rules in conflict with this Constitution and the rules herein are null and void."
Open questions
Text is silent on whether electronic voting is an acceptable 'manner' under local bylaws, and the verified text predates the Sept. 2026 41st Convention, whose amended constitution was not available.
Context
- Recent convention amendment referenced but not confirmed in constitutional text: ibew.org coverage of the 41st Convention (Sept. 2026) reports delegates adopted an amendment to Art. XVI, Sec. 11 'barring any candidate in a local union election from serving as an election judge or teller in that election', and that Proposed Amendment 16 (a new Art. XVI, Sec. 21 'allowing locals to use secure online election tools in certain elections') 'was not adopted'; the Law Committee's stated reason was that 'the IBEW Constitution already gives locals the authority to amend their own bylaws on the manner of elections and is silent on the matter.' The post-2026 constitution text has not been published/located.
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
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Constitution and Rules for Local Unions and Councils Under Its Jurisdiction — As amended at the 40th IBEW Convention, Chicago, Illinois, May 2022 (does NOT reflect the 41st Convention, San Diego, Sept. 21-25, 2026). https://ibew1245.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IBEW-Constituition.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
- IBEW Delegates Approve Constitutional Amendments (41st Convention news, ibew.org) — Convention coverage of Sept. 24, 2026 session (lead only, not a constitutional text). https://ibew.org/41st-ibew-convention/ibew-delegates-approve-constitutional-amendments/ (accessed 2026-10-21)
Not verified: Full constitution not found on ibew.org (www.ibew.org returns 403 to curl; headless Chromium found no constitution PDF on the Tools & Resources or CIR/Bylaws & Appeals pages). Used the 2022 edition hosted by IBEW Local 1245. No International local election manual was publicly available. The constitution specifies no method for contract ratification or strike votes. Page numbers are printed page numbers.
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.
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