Director Election

United Power’s members elect directors to the Board by secret ballot and the results are announced at the Annual Meeting of Members held each spring. United Power’s Board is comprised of eleven member-elected directors serving four geographic districts. Directors serve from geographic districts to ensure adequate accessibility for members, and to provide a representative cross-section of United Power’s member base in the cooperative’s governing body. Directors serve three-year, staggered terms.

A member’s district may be found on their monthly United Power billing statement.

View the director district map.

Unlike governmental elections, not all registered voters in the household can vote in co-op elections. Co-op members receive one vote for each membership with United Power, and only the person whose name is on the United Power account is eligible to complete the ballot. Members who are unclear of their membership or account status may call United Power’s Member Services Department at 303-637-1300 for verification.

Running for the Board

To be eligible to become or remain a director, a person must be a United Power member for at least two years immediately before becoming a director and receive electric service from United Power at the member’s primary residence in the district he or she represents. A director cannot be engaged in a competing enterprise or in other businesses involving a conflict of interest. United Power’s bylaws provide in-depth information on director districts, qualifications, terms, elections, meetings, and officers.

Eligible members interested in running for a seat on the Board of Directors must submit nominations by written
petition. Nominations by written petition must state the name and district of the nominee, and must be signed by 15 or more United Power members. Petitions are available by contacting United Power’s Executive Department at 303-659-0551. We ask any member interested in nomination to complete a Board Candidate Packet, available through the Executive Department.

Eligible members interested in running for a seat on the Board of Directors must submit nominations by written petition. Nominations by written petition must state the name and district of the nominee and must be signed by 15 or more United Power members. Petitions are available by contacting United Power’s Executive Department at 303-659-0551.

United Power hosts Meet the Candidate Forums in each of its director districts where members can hear from each of the candidates vying to serve on the Board of Directors. These events are free to member, and do not require RSVPs. 

The cooperative does not endorse or oppose the candidacy of an incumbent Board member or other candidate for a position on the Board (Corporate Policy C-02). Although members may be eligible to receive a door prize and attendance gift at the annual meeting, the cooperative does not incentivize voting in the Director Election.

Balloting dates and deadlines for the 2024 Director Election will be posted in the coming months. 

It is important to note that United Power directors are elected on an ‘at-large’ basis, meaning that members should cast a vote for one director in each district, regardless of where the member lives. This election policy is in place because directors represent all members, as well as the overall welfare of the cooperative. Directors serve from geographic districts to ensure adequate accessibility for members and a representative cross-section of the membership in the cooperative’s governing body.

Voting Electronically

1. Login to your United Power online account via the website or the mobile app.
   • Don’t have an online account? Register here.
      
2. Click “Vote Now” on the online account home screen.
3. Click “Go to Ballot” after reviewing the voting instructions.
4. Select one candidate in each district and click “Go to Ballot Confirmation.”
5. Review your completed ballot and click “Change Votes” to edit, or click “Submit Ballot” to complete your vote.
6. Your ballot is now complete. Enter your email on this final confirmation screen to have a confirmation emailed to you.
    

Voting by Mail Ballot

1. Vote your ballot ensuring you have selected one candidate in each district.
2. Place your ballot in the secret ballot envelope (optional).
3. Place your ballot in the business reply envelope.
4. Sign the back of the business reply envelope (State law requires the member’s signature for the ballot to be valid. Please follow signature instructions carefully).
5. Mail your ballot postpaid before the deadline listed in your ballot packet.

Signing Your Mail Ballot

When signing your ballot envelope, please follow these instructions carefully:

• If the membership is owned by a human being, that person should sign his or her name on the top line as it appears on the label.
• If the membership is owned jointly, only one of the joint owners needs to sign.
• If the membership is owned by a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity, including the estate of a deceased person, the person signing must place his or her signature on the first line and indicate his or her title or lawful representative capacity on the second line. For example:
  • A person signing for a partnership should sign “John Doe” on the top line and “Partner” on the second line.
  • A person signing for a corporation should sign “John Doe” on the top line and “President” (or other office) on the second line;
  • A person signing for a trade name should sign “John Doe” on the top line, and “owner” on the second line;
  • If the member is deceased, the personal representative of the estate should sign their name on the top line, and state “Jane Doe, Personal Representative of the estate of John Doe,” on the second line;
  • If a person is unable to write a signature, his or her mark will be accepted if a witness is present and signs “John Doe is unable to sign, but made his or her mark as his or her intended signature in my presence. Jane Doe, witness.

Ballot Counting

Survey and Ballot Systems, a reputable election organization and verification service, will be tabulating all ballots. Ballots are mailed directly to Survey and Ballot Systems’ post office box. To be valid, mail ballots must be received at the post office box by the deadline listed in the ballot packet. Proxy voting is not permitted by state law.