A member is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting. Voting must be in person. For meetings that include the election of cooperative trustees, polling locations must be open for a minimum of four hours.

When at least one of the races for cooperative trustee is contested prior to the annual meeting, each cooperative must provide a method by which members of the cooperative may cast a ballot in an election for trustees on a day other than, and before, the annual meeting day. The method for this alternative early voting should allow for voting by cooperative members from the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and should include reasonable accommodations for elderly, disabled, or infirmed members as permitted by this section.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 33-49-440

  • Member: means each incorporator of a cooperative and each person admitted to and retaining membership therein and shall include a husband and wife admitted to joint membership. See South Carolina Code 33-49-20
  • Person: includes any natural person, firm, association, corporation, business trust, partnership, federal agency, state or political subdivision or agency thereof, or any body politic. See South Carolina Code 33-49-20
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.