1. A. Approximately five months before the expiration of a trustee’s term, the director will issue a notice of the upcoming vacancy on the MERS’ website and send a notice to participating employers.
2. B. A nominating petition packet will be made available on the MERS’ website and will be distributed via electronic mail or through the United States Post Office upon request.
3. C. The names of candidates will appear in alphabetical order on the ballot. If an incumbent trustee is a candidate that will be noted on the ballot.
4. D. The director will cause ballots to be mailed to all eligible voters. The statements provided by each candidate with their nominating petition shall be included in the ballot mailout.
5. E. The number of votes which may be cast depends on the number of vacancies for which a trustee must be elected.
6. F. Only votes cast by the deadline will be counted.
7. G. Votes will be tabulated by a third party, such as a certified public accountant or an election vendor, selected by the director. Candidates may attend and observe the ballot tabulating, at their own expense.
8. H. A majority of votes is required for a candidate to win a contested election. If a single candidate does not attain a majority of votes, a runoff will be conducted in the same fashion as the original election with the top two vote recipients competing.
9. I. Ties affecting elected positions shall be decided by a drawing conducted by the director in the presence of at least two witnesses. The candidates, or a representative of the candidates, may attend.
10. J. Election results shall be certified by the board of trustees.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 11:1823.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Treasury, Municipal Employees’ Retirement System, LR 48:2368 (September 2022), amended LR 51:1891 (November 2025).