The NewsGuild of New York's 2025 Local and Unit Elections
09/09/2025
Every three years, the NewsGuild of New York has nominations and elections for leadership roles throughout our union. An open nomination process and vigorous participation in Guild elections is a key part of a democratic, member-led union. Strong, effective, and accountable leadership is how we collectively ensure we’re fighting for the right things, and that we win!
Learn more about the elected positions at the Local (meaning The NewsGuild of New York) and in our workplaces (which we call “units”).
UPDATE: Unit elections are concluded. Please check with your unit chair or Local Representative for results.
From the Local Election Committee:
For both the Times unit and the Times Tech unit, there is a one vote difference between the lowest winning unit council candidate and the highest losing unit council candidate. At the Times unit, there is a single challenged ballot. At the Times Tech unit, there are three challenged ballots. Because, in both cases, the challenged ballots could prove to be dispositive, the Local Election Committee will gather and assess evidence to determine whether the people who cast the challenged ballots were eligible. The Committee will direct GES to count any challenged ballot(s) cast by people the Committee finds to be eligible. [posted 10/19/25]
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Each NewsGuild of New York unit elects its own Unit Council, which is compromised of a Unit Chair, First Vice Chair and Secretary, and Council Members. Though the specific dates vary slightly shop to shop regarding the election, the rules remain the same. The complete rules for your specific unit’s election procedures were distributed via your Local Representative.
In accordance with the Guild’s bylaws, all units are required to complete elections before the third Saturday in October “every third year.” For example, in 2022, 2025, 2028, etc.
Unit terms are from November 1, 2025 to October 30, 2028.
Not every unit will have an election. If, at the close of the period for your unit nominations, a single person is nominated for any of the positions being nominated, that person (or people) shall be declared elected without contest.
If your unit is having a contested election, the rules for that election including important dates, were distributed previously within your unit. If you did not recieve a copy of the rules or have any questions about the process, please contact your Local Representative.
*The Rules for Nomination and Election of Local Officers and Executive Committee Members (aka the Rules) governs, and should be your first source of information on, the Local election process. Refer to your unit's Election Rules for specifics regarding your unit's election process. If there is a discrepancy between what is posted here and the Rules or your Unit Election Rules (aka Unit Rules), the Rules or Unit Rules prevail.
What’s a Nomination Meeting? Where does it happen?
A nomination meeting is the opportunity for potential candidates to announce their intention to run for an elected leadership position within the Guild or to be nominated to run. All nominations must be seconded (a statement of support of the original nomination) by another member.
In the case of unit-specific nominations, these meetings are now typically scheduled as Zoom unit meetings, though it is up to your unit if you choose to hold the meetings in person. See your Unit Rules.
The nomination period for Local-wide positions kicks off with a Zoom nomination meeting at noon ET on September 15, 2025.
Topic: Local Nomination Meeting
Time: Sep 15, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83354669749?pwd=cJJJOtPwuR9lS84QFHyaRy5ei2qvwy.1
Meeting ID: 833 5466 9749
Passcode: 830975
What if I want to nominate someone, but can’t attend the meeting?
No problem! Nominations may be made at the nominations meeting, and in writing. Written nominations for Local election must be submitted via email as described below by a nominator who is a member in good standing as of September 15, 2024, and seconded by a member in good standing as of September 15, 2025. Written nominations and seconds must be received by the Guild starting at 1 p.m. ET and received by no later than 11:59 p.m. September 19, 2025. Only the following delivery methods for written nominations and seconds will be accepted: by email. All written nominations and seconds must be emailed to Local Election Committee Counsel Hanan B. Kolko at the following email address: hkolko@cwsny.com. For unit election timelines, please see your Unit Rules.
Note: In order to nominate a member for a Local position, you must be in good standing as a Guild member as of September 15, 2025. Not sure if you are? Ask your Local Representative.
If I write in a nomination, what happens next?
Make sure that in your nomination you include a second and an email address and telephone number where the nominated candidate can be reached, and do so by no later than 11:59 p.m. on September 19, 2025 for the Local Election. Such information must be emailed to Local Election Committee Counsel Hanan B. Kolko at the following email address: hkolko@cwsny.com. The Guild must receive written confirmation of the candidate’s willingness to run by no later than 11:59 p.m. on September 25, 2025. Such confirmation must be emailed to Local Election Committee Counsel Hanan B. Kolko at the following email address: hkolko@cwsny.com. The Election Committee will then notify all nominated candidates. For unit election nominations, please see your Unit Rules.
Can I nominate myself?
You sure can! You can do so at the nominations meeting or via write-in (follow the instructions in the Rules).
For the Local-wide election, know that the Guild must receive written confirmation (as outlined above and in the Rules) from that candidate stating they wish to run no later than 11:59 p.m. on September 25, 2025.
Why does the Guild have to mail ballots? Can we just vote electronically?
Unfortunately, until the Department of Labor says unions can utilize electronic voting, we have to continue to mail ballots to the membership. If you want to get really nerdy on this: Union officer elections are governed by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, which is enforced by the DOL. You can read more about that here.
Who receives ballots?
For The NewsGuild of New York elections, if a candidate is running unopposed, then that individual is declared the winner. But in case of a challenger, then the Guild automatically begins the process to get ballots together to mail to members. When it’s a unit-specific election, only those members receive ballots to vote for their Unit Chair or Unit Secretary, for example.
When it comes to the Local election — which concerns the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Local Chair, and so on — all members in good standing receive a ballot to vote in the mail.
Am I eligible to vote?
In order to be eligible to vote, you must be a member in good standing. This classic union term simply means that you have signed a membership card, are paid up on your dues (if applicable), and currently working in a NYGuild-represented unit.
For this year’s Local election, you must be a member in good standing as of September 26, 2025. If you’re unsure about your standing, contact your Local Representative.
When will I receive my ballot?
Ballots will be mailed out on or about October 8 , 2025 for the NYGuild Local election.
For Unit-specific elections, please see your unit's election rules.
How does a mail-in ballot work in Guild elections?
Whether it’s a unit or Local-wide election, the NYGuild’s procedures are generally the same. You will receive a ballot by mail at the address the Guild has on record. Make sure that you do not put any identifying information on the ballot. You’ll place your ballot in a smaller envelope and then place that smaller envelope in the return envelope. On that outer envelope, you’ll sign and print your name on the designated lines. Know that ballots returned in an unsigned outer envelope will not be counted!
What do I do if I didn’t get a ballot? What do I do if I messed up my ballot?
No worries. The period to request a duplicate ballot in the Local-wide election, if you have not yet received one is October 15 until noon on November 6, 2025. Details about how to request a duplicate ballot will be posted here and emailed out to members as soon as it becomes available. The period to request a duplicate ballot in a unit election will be posted shortly.
When are ballots due? When will they be tallied?
For the Local election, a voter must mail the ballot back, in conformity with the voting instructions, so that it is received at the GES Post Office Box by no later than 9:00 a.m. on November 21, 2025. Global Election Solutions (GES), the third-party organization administering the election, will count all eligible ballots on that day.
For unit-specific elections, the dates vary depending on your unit’s election timetable, so refer back to your unit election rules. The latest date any unit ballots are due is no later than 4 p.m. on October 17, 2025. All eligible ballots will be tallied on October 18.
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