Pedernales Electric Cooperative has posted downloadable nomination-by-petition materials on its Web site, www.pec.coop, for eligible members interested in running for a position on PEC’s Board of Directors. Positions up for election in 2010 are for District 4 Director and District 5 Director; members seeking nomination are required to maintain primary residence in the district they wish to represent. Members may also call PEC toll-free at 1-888-554-4732 to have the petition materials mailed to them, or they can drop by any Pedernales Electric office to request the forms in person.

The materials include instructions for submitting biographical information, nomination requirements, a background verification authorization form, sheets for collecting member signatures and maps showing Director districts. Completed and signed nomination petitions must be received at PEC headquarters by the Board’s recording secretary by 5 p.m. on April 5 for candidates to be eligible for the election, which will conclude at the Cooperative’s June 19 annual membership meeting.

After verifying member signatures and nominees’ information, PEC expects to announce confirmed candidates at its April 19 Board meeting and plans to mail ballots to PEC members by May 5. PEC has retained Election Services Corporation, an independent election services provider based in Ronkonkoma, New York, to create, distribute, receive and tabulate ballots and handle other election matters. PEC members will be able to vote for the candidates of their choosing by mail, online or in person at the annual meeting.

Additional election information, including a draft of the proposed amendments to the Cooperative’s articles of incorporation that will be put before a member vote on the election ballot, also is available on the PEC Web site. The amendments include a member bill of rights, which if approved by members would establish core rights, such as election safeguards, which could only be changed with a member vote.