The JCE Co-op Board of Directors has approved changes to the cooperative’s director districts through a redistricting process. As a result, some members may now be located in a different board district, and their director representative may have changed. Members can find their current district by reviewing the district map or looking at their most recent bill. Members can learn more about each director by visiting the Board of Directors page.

JCE Co-op Seeks Board of Director Nominations for Districts 4, 5 and 7

Any JCE Co-op member whose primary residence is in a district that is up for election, including the incumbent, may petition for nomination. Nomination petitions are available from JCE Co-op’s Elizabeth headquarters or online at jcecoop.com.

  • Petitions may be filed no earlier than Saturday, May 2, 2026 and no later than Friday, July 31, 2026.
  • Members may only seek nomination from the district of their primary residence.
  • Petitions must be signed by at least 25 JCE Co-op members residing in the district for which the director is to be elected.
  • All nominees must participate in an orientation process to understand director expectations and responsibilities, including time demands, education expectations, and fiduciary duties.
  • All eligible candidates will be listed on the cooperative’s website and in the co-op’s monthly newsletter, Hi-Lines.

Download a Petition
 

Voting Instructions

The JCE Co-op Board of Directors has authorized the 2026 Director Election to be conducted through an independent third-party election vendor, offering both mail and online voting options. If you are in Districts 4, 5, or 7, you will receive a ballot and may choose to vote either by mail or online, whichever method is most convenient for you.

District Map

Voting by Mail

  • Mark your selection by completely filling in the box next to the candidate of your choice.

  • Do not mail ballots to the JCE Co-op office.

  • Detach the ballot and place it into the enclosed return envelope.

  • Sign the back of the return envelope where indicated.

  • Mail completed ballots to:
    Survey & Ballot Systems
    7653 Anagram Drive
    Eden Prairie, MN 55344

All mailed ballots must be received two (2) days prior to the Annual Meeting in accordance with the bylaws. Ballots received after the deadline will not be counted. Members voting by mail should allow sufficient mailing time to ensure timely delivery. 
 

Voting Online

Eligible members will receive an email directly from SBS Election Services containing their unique voting link and instructions for casting their ballot electronically.
 

Important Information

  • Voting emails will be sent to the email address on file with the organization.
  • Each member will receive a unique secure link that may only be used once.
  • Please check your inbox, spam, or junk folders if you do not see the email.
  • The online voting portal will open on August 20th  and close September 27th@ 4:00 PM.
  • Ballots must be submitted electronically before the voting deadline in order to be counted.
     

How to Vote Online

  1. Open the email sent from SBS Election Services.
  2. Click the secure voting link provided in the email.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to review the ballot and make your selections.
  4. Submit your ballot once completed.
  5. A confirmation screen will appear after your vote has been successfully submitted (only if you did not have an email address on file within the database.  You are able to type in your email to receive that confirmation email, or you can continue on without providing your email).  If you have an email address on file within the database, you will automatically receive the confirmation email.

If you experience technical difficulties with the online voting system, please contact SBS Election Services directly at support@directvote.net

For questions regarding membership eligibility or election procedures, please contact [JCE Co-op/815-858-2207 X1211].
 

Who May Vote

For Board of Directors elections, members vote only for the Director seat assigned to their district when that district is up for election.
If a member receives service at locations in more than one district, the member may vote only in the district where the member first received service.
For joint memberships, the vote of either joint member separately, or both jointly, counts as one vote.
 


Important Voting Rules

Rule What It Means for Members
One membership, one vote Each membership receives one vote. Joint memberships collectively receive one vote.
Vote only in your district Members vote only for the Director seat assigned to their district when that district is up for election.
No proxy voting Members cannot authorize another person to vote on their behalf. Proxy voting is prohibited.
No floor nominations Director nominations are not accepted from the floor at the Annual Meeting, Regular Meeting, or Special Meeting.
No write-in votes Write-in votes for individuals who were not properly nominated under the bylaws will not be counted.
No ballot if only one candidate is nominated If only one qualified candidate is nominated in a district, no ballot is mailed for that district. The candidate is elected by acclamation at the Annual Meeting.

 

How Ballots Are Counted

  • A third-party vendor is being used, the vendor provides verified election results to the Cooperative’s attorney after balloting has concluded.
  • The Cooperative’s attorney reports the verified election results at the Annual Meeting. If a Credentials and Election Committee is appointed, the committee chair may also report the results.
  •  

Member Reminders

  1. Review your ballot carefully and vote only for the Director candidate for your assigned district.
  2. Follow the instructions included with your ballot materials for mail, in-person, electronic, or other approved voting methods.
  3. Keep your mailing address, phone number, and email address current with JCE Co-op so you receive election notices and ballot materials.
  4. Confirm your current Director district by reviewing the district map or checking your most recent JCE Co-op bill.

 

Additional Board Candidate Materials & Election Guidelines

Candidate Biography Form-Nomination Packet 
Election Timeline and Deadline for Board Candidates 
Policy 102B: Duties and Responsibilities of Directors