(b)

1. (1) The system shall publish ballots and submit the published ballots to the election vendor to be mailed by March 15 to the address of record of each member who is eligible to vote in the election.

2. (2)

   1. (A) A completed ballot shall be counted if it is received by the election vendor on or before April 15, regardless of postmark date or other methods used to attempt delivery.
   2. (B) Only ballots that are correctly completed shall be counted.

(e)

1. (1) A run-off election shall be held between the two (2) candidates who receive the highest number of votes for a trustee position if:

   1. (A) The election vendor certifies the outcome of the trustee election; and
   2. (B) A single candidate does not receive at least fifty percent (50%) of the votes cast by eligible voters.
2. (2) The election vendor shall mail runoff ballots to each member who is eligible to vote in the election on or before May 1.
3. (3) Completed ballots for a runoff election that are received by the election vendor after June 1 shall not be counted.
4. (4) The election vendor shall certify the results of a runoff election to the system by June 5.

(f)

1. (1) A candidate included on a ballot may challenge the election vendor's certified results for an elected trustee position by submitting a written challenge to the Executive Director of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System within five (5) calendar days of the date on which the election results are certified by the election vendor.

2. (2)

   1. (A) A written challenge to the election vendor’s certified results for an election shall not be considered if it is submitted more than (5) calendar days after the date on which the election results are certified to the system by the election vendor.
   2. (B) After a written challenge to a certified election result is received by the system, the board shall hold a special meeting to consider the challenge.
   3. (C) The executive director shall issue a recommendation to the board along with the administrative record concerning the certified election results of the position being challenged.

3. (3) If a candidate challenges the election results:

   1. (A) The election process shall be suspended for the same number of days that the resolution of the challenge requires; and
   2. (B) The remaining election schedule shall be adjusted accordingly.