From 4e28e66d49500104942bde01d29ee3710245c402 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: John Mertic Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:55:22 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 1/3] Add elections documentation for OpenChain Document the election process, eligibility, nominations, and voting for OpenChain roles. --- docs/elections.md | 43 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 43 insertions(+) create mode 100644 docs/elections.md diff --git a/docs/elections.md b/docs/elections.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..917653d --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/elections.md @@ -0,0 +1,43 @@ +--- +title: Elections +--- + +# Election Process and Policy for OpenChain + +OpenChain seeks to hold open, fair, transparent, and efficient elections for various roles within the OpenChain. See the chart before for the elections and role timelines for OpenChain. + +| Role | Role Period | Electorate Group | Number of Elected Individuals | Other Notes | +| :---- | :---- | :---- | :---- | :---- | +| Governing Board Chairperson | 3 year terms beginning Jan 1 and ending Dec 31 of the third year | Governing Board Representatives | One ( see [OpenChain Project Charter, section 3(b)(ii)](https://charter.openchainproject.org) ) | 3 year term | +| Work Group Chairperson | 1 year | Governing Board Representatives | One Chairperson or Two Co-Chairpersons | Governing Board takes the recommendations of the Work Group and formally ratifies. | + +Elections are typically held in the month before the end date of each of the roles above. The exact timeline will be communicated to the electorate group, but it generally has the following structure: + +| Election Notice | 2 weeks | +| :---- | :---- | +| Nomination Period | 1 week, closes at 11:59 pm \ on the last day | +| Review of Nominees | 1 day | +| Election Period | 1 week, closes at 11:59 pm \ on the last day | +| Announcement of Election results | Day after Election Ends | + +## Eligibility + +To serve on any governing body, council, or committee of the OpenChain, an individual must: + +* Be willing and able to fulfill the applicable responsibilities, and +* Comply with all applicable policies of the Linux Foundation and the OpenChain, including Linux Foundation Antitrust Policy and OpenChain Code of Conduct. + +Failure to meet these requirements may result in removal, suspension, or ineligibility to participate. + +## Nominations + +Nominations are done via email. Members of the electorate group may nominate someone else in the electorate group or self-nominate. All nominations must include the nominee’s name, company affiliation, and a short background on the nominee and why they wish to serve in the role. All nominations are confirmed before the election. + +## Elections + +The election process uses [LFX Voting](https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/project-control-center/v2-latest-version/collaborations/voting#voting-for-a-poll). Electors will checkbox the individual(s) they wish to elect. + +Election results will be announced to the electorate and relevant committee the day after the election closes. + +If you have any questions about the election process, please contact the OpenChain staff at . + From abd55ea081c59df629bf454e3186dfc758fd34f0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: John Mertic Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:59:48 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 2/3] Update chairperson election section in groups.md Removed detailed chairperson election process and added a reference to the elections documentation. --- docs/groups.md | 37 +------------------------------------ 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 36 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/groups.md b/docs/groups.md index 2b2b8fa..682351f 100644 --- a/docs/groups.md +++ b/docs/groups.md @@ -71,39 +71,4 @@ The general template slides are here: [https://github.com/OpenChain-Project/Refe ### Chairperson Elections -Note: This process currently applies to these groups, although it is recommended to be adopted by all groups. - -* OpenChain Specification Work Group -* OpenChain Education Work Group -* OpenChain Telco Work Group - -#### The Overall Process: - -* The OpenChain Governing Board formally considers who should be appointed as the chairperson for the relevant OpenChain Study or Work Group, and invites the broader OpenChain community to provide their perspective; -* In this process, the broader OpenChain community will have nominees proposed and voted on to provide a recommendation; -* That recommendation will be passed to the OpenChain Governing Board for review, approval and ratification at their next meeting. - -#### Nomination Methods - -The community can nominate in the following manner: - -* Members of the relevant@ (example: specification@lists.openchainproject.org) mailing list are entitled to be nominated as chair. -* Members of main@ are entitled to join relevant@ and take part in the election. -* You can nominate yourself by sending an email to the relevant@ mailing list. -* You can nominate someone else by sending an email to the relevant@ mailing list (but please make sure they are ok with it first). - -#### Election Process - -* The specific process on behalf of the community is to undertake a voting process after a period of nomination; -* The nomination period is one week; -* The voting period is one week; -* If a single candidate stands, they automatically win; -* If two or more candidates: simple majority wins; -* Simple majority \= 50%+1 or more, of the votes cast; -* Run-off will take place if: - * If there are more than 2 candidates and no one receives a simple majority, or - * There a tie between the top 2 candidates. -* The run-off will be among the 2 candidates who received the most votes; -* If the run-off results in another tie, then the Governing Board Chair will cast an additional deciding vote: -* The relevant work group or study group chair to be confirmed at subsequent board meeting; -* The Governing Board reserves the right to make any determination they regard as appropriate. +Chairperson election processes are defined [here]({% link doc/elections.md %}). From 3003efe57aff32f83a32c5a1494c5e20c5b1fb4f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: John Mertic Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:01:10 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 3/3] Fix typo Signed-off-by: John Mertic --- docs/groups.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/docs/groups.md b/docs/groups.md index 682351f..b22db8f 100644 --- a/docs/groups.md +++ b/docs/groups.md @@ -71,4 +71,4 @@ The general template slides are here: [https://github.com/OpenChain-Project/Refe ### Chairperson Elections -Chairperson election processes are defined [here]({% link doc/elections.md %}). +Chairperson election processes are defined [here]({% link docs/elections.md %}).