Election 2024

The General Election Committee of the United Holy Church of America, Inc. (UHCA) is tasked with conducting the General Election on May 2, 2024 during the Quadrennial Convocation. During the recent General Convocation, May 2023, the house overwhelmingly voted to suspend our normal method of voting for the ratification of our Standard Manual - from paper ballots to electronic voting, utilizing Election Buddy (a web-based system). The voting experience for those participating at the General Headquarters was successful. It provided the UHCA an opportunity to understand and actively
engage in electronic voting. Overall, the process was a ground-breaking experience for the UHCA and highlighted our ability to embrace electronic voting.

Election Buddy allowed members to vote from any location at the headquarters site. Once each voter received a unique voter ID (which could only be used one time), they were able to cast their vote. Many were excited to vote from their device of choice (laptops, tablets, etc.) and were offered technical assistance, as needed. Votes were automatically tabulated.

During our mid-year conference, October 2-6, 2023, to be held at Victory Tabernacle, 1329 US 70 West Garner, NC (a suburb of Raleigh) the General Election Committee will be prepared to submit a motion to the house to suspend the traditional method of voting via paper ballot and to use Election Buddy (the same electronic voting system utilized for the ratification of the Standard Manual).

The voting process is simple. Members of the UHCA who will be voting on-site May 2, 2024, will receive notification by email and via a text message thirty- days before the date of voting, with detailed instructions. They will receive a second message with a reminder, 15 days before the election.

The General Election Committee (GEC) will make certain that no registered voter is disenfranchised due to: a lack of/limited access to the internet, limited or no wi-fi connectivity, no cellphone, no tablet, no computer, or not being able to attend the Quadrennial Convocation in May 2024. Registered voters in these instances will request an absentee ballot when their membership registration list is submitted to their District President by December 15, 2023. Once submitted, they will receive an absentee ballot.

The Election Buddy voting system will manage paper ballots being mailed to members requesting an absentee paper ballot. Ballots must be postmarked by March 15, 2024, and should be returned to the GEC, postmarked by April 15, 2024, for their paper ballots to be valid.

In addition, the GEC will have a contingency plan in place should a natural disaster or health crisis such as COVID cause an unforeseen disruption leading up to or during the election with the approval of the General Board of Elders and the General President.

Finally, using the Election Buddy electronic voting system is SECURE, reliable, and the cost is very reasonable. Additionally, it is used by several national organizations such as NAACP, COGIC and others. The quote for 1,000 voters is only $90. Using this system would eliminate the need to print thousands of ballots and it would allow a cost savings which would eliminate the need for renting voting machines and purchasing supplies.

The General Election Committee is pleased to introduce electronic voting as a new method of voting in the UHCA for the Quadrennial Convocation General Election in May 2024. If approved by majority vote, the UHCA would realize great cost savings and most importantly, all members who wish to participate in the voting process for the general church will be able to do so!

Please contact Min. Vera Perkins-Hughes, Chairlady, General Election Committee with questions/concerns at (216) 408-9824 or email: vphughes24@gmail.com

Elder Derek King, Vice Chair (WNC),
Elder Reggie Smalls (NED),
Elder Judy Lewis, Secretary (NOR),
Elder W. Terry Cobb (SDG),
Minister Alfreda Dabney, Budget (CW),
Elder Carolyn Dildy (NOR),
Elder Larry McLean (SDG),
Elder Barney Wiggins (VIR),
Deaconess Carrie Caines (SDH),
Elder Joseph King (BER)