Short answer: Not under the current text. The Insulators' Constitution (2022-2027 edition) has local elections decided "in a secret ballot at a special notified meeting" (Art. XX, Sec. 4), with a mail ballot election allowed if local bylaws or a membership resolution authorize it (Art. XX, Sec. 12), plus absentee ballots. Electronic voting is not mentioned.
| Verdict | Lists methods that don't include electronic voting |
| Ratification / strike votes | Strike votes: Lists specific methods; electronic not among them (two-thirds secret ballot at a special meeting called for the purpose, Art. XIX, Sec. 13). Contract ratification: secret ballot required, method otherwise not specified (Art. XIX, Sec. 15(a)). |
| Confidence | Medium |
| Last verified | 21 October 2026 |
What the text says
How local officer elections are run
"Nomination for local union office shall be held at the regular local union meeting preceding that of election, at which meeting no nomination shall be considered."
"Election shall be decided by plurality vote in a secret ballot at a special notified meeting."
"Notice of every local union election must be mailed by the corresponding secretary to the last known address of each of its members at least twenty-five (25) days prior to the election."
"If authorized by either the local union bylaws or by a resolution of the local union membership, a local union may conduct a mail ballot election."
"If a local union has not authorized a mail ballot election, any member may receive and cast an absentee ballot in accordance with the procedures described in this and the following section;"
"Within the ten (10) day period prior to the union election day, members may apply in person at the local union office for an absentee ballot. They will receive an absentee ballot at that time, will mark their ballot in secrecy at that time"
Electronic, internet, phone or remote voting
"The International Association shall convene quinquennially in August. The format for Conventions will be in person, virtual, or a hybrid of both."
International approval of local bylaws or election rules
"Local unions affiliated with the International Association can exercise local autonomy in all matters except those which are in conflict with the International Constitution and Bylaws."
"Should any question come before a local union on which the International Constitution and Bylaws are silent or not clearly defined, it shall immediately be referred to the General President or General Secretary-Treasurer for decision."
"When the General Executive Board interprets the Constitution and Bylaws and determines matters concerning which the International Constitution and Bylaws are silent, the General Executive Board shall be authorized to promulgate these rulings as it deems advisable."
"The General Executive Board may amend the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws when in its judgment such action is in the best interest of our International Association, subject to ratification at the next convention."
Contract ratification and strike votes
"Local unions can only declare strike action after special meeting called for such purpose. A two-thirds (2/3) vote in secret ballot shall be necessary to take strike action."
"Voting on accepting or rejecting newly negotiated agreements must be by secret ballot and will be confined to the local union good-standing members otherwise entitled to vote at local union meetings."
Open questions
The text provides for a secret ballot at a special notified meeting, a full mail ballot election if authorized by local bylaws or membership resolution, and absentee ballots (by mail or in person); electronic voting is not mentioned (the list may be read as exclusive - counsel to confirm), and the General Executive Board may interpret the Constitution and rule where it is silent (Art. X, Sec. 8).
Context
- LMRDA (private-sector) union; the constitution also governs Canadian local unions, which the LMRDA does not reach.
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
- Constitution and Bylaws, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (OLMS attachment 'CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 2022-2027 INCLUDE ASSESSMENTS FOR 2023-2027.pdf', 'Constitution, Bylaws and Other Attachments', filed with the LM-2 for 2022 by INSULATORS AFL-CIO National Headquarters, OLMS file no. 000-090, received 2023-03-30) — As enacted by the Thirty-second Quinquennial Convention, Detroit, Michigan (filed as the 2022-2027 edition; no later edition on file with OLMS as of 2026-10-21). https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=65766&rptForm=attachment (accessed 2026-10-21)
Not verified: Obtained 2026-10-21 from the DOL OLMS OLPDR (Insulators national HQ = file no. 000-090; constitution attachments: 2022-2027 edition (65766), 'General Executive Board 2020 Actions' (22530), 2007 (1664), 2005 (623)). The filed edition's title page does not print the convention year; it states it was enacted by the Thirty-second Quinquennial Convention at Detroit, and its dues schedules begin October 1, 2022. insulators.org was checked by curl (bot page) and headless Chromium: no constitution or local election manual posted. Web search found no report of a later convention; next quinquennial convention date not confirmed. Mentions of 'electronic' in the text concern traveling cards, statements and reports, not voting. 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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