Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, Inc. > About > SDCEA Annual Meeting & Election Notice

SDCEA Annual Meeting & Election Notice

3.16.26 UPDATE:  The SDCEA annual meeting is scheduled for June 24 in Westcliffe. No members petitioned to run against the current incumbents during the 2026 election cycle, so no election will be held.  During the meeting, board incumbents Mark Boyle, Blake Bennetts and Michael Robinson will be seated to serve new three-year terms.

 

Annual Meeting

SDCEA’s 86th Annual Meeting will be held June 24, 2026

SDCEA Westcliffe Warehouse

56495 Hwy 69
Westcliffe, CO 81252

Registration opens:  9 a.m.

Meeting convenes: 10 a.m.

Open house, displays, lunch, and activities. Members of the cooperative will act on financial data for the year 2025 and consider any other business that may become before the meeting.

If there is a contested election, it will be held separately from the annual meeting by mail and online vote (information below).

The regular June board of directors meeting will also be held on this date in Westcliffe.

 

 

SDCEA Board of Directors Election Guide 

3.16.26 PLEASE NOTE: 2026 candidates are uncontested and there will not be an election in June.  During the annual meeting, board incumbents Mark Boyle, Blake Bennetts and Michael Robinson will be seated to serve new three-year terms. Dates below are listed for reference.

Important Election Dates – 2026

  • January 14: Petitions for director’s seats will be available for circulation.
  • March 13: Deadline for the candidate nomination petitions and questionnaires to be received at SDCEA’s Buena Vista office is 4:30 p.m.
  • April 23: Date of record – the cut-off date for determining eligible voters.
  • Early May: Paper ballots will be mailed to all eligible voters. You may cast a paper or online ballot.
  • June 18: Deadline for ballots to be received by the election company or cast online by 1 p.m. MST.
  • June 24: SDCEA’s Annual Meeting will be held in Westcliffe.

What seats are up for election?

Three seats are up for election in 2026 – a representative for an At-Large seat, a town of Buena Vista seat and a Rural Chaffee/Lake County seat.

The At-Large seat up for election is currently held by Michael Robinson; the town of Buena Vista by Blake Bennetts and the Rural Chaffee/Lake Counties seat by Mark Boyle. All three incumbent representatives have indicated they wish to run again for their respective seats.

The board consists of a total of seven seats, each with a three-year term. These include two at-large seats, one seat for the town of Buena Vista, one for Fremont County, one for Custer County, and two for Rural Chaffee/Lake counties. Elected board members, though designated by geographical area, represent the entire membership of the system.

  • Candidates may pick up a petition and board packet beginning January 14 and have until 4:30 p.m. March 13 to turn in a completed petition to run for the board.
  • Prospective board members should be aware that travel and training are part of their responsibilities, and they can expect to dedicate at least 20 hours per month to board-related activities. Compensation includes a monthly payment of $300, along with additional pay for meetings.
  • Candidate information will be posted here after the March 13 deadline.

Who Can Vote?

  • Named SDCEA account holders are entitled to vote in the Board of Directors Election. One ballot is cast per membership.
  • Members vote on all candidates, regardless of where your service address is located.
  • Your residence status, whether full-time or part-time, in or out of state, does not affect your right to vote.
  • Accounts that are in a business name are asked who they would like to delegate as the voting member when the business signs up for service. If you own a business and would like to confirm your voting delegate, please contact SDCEA by emailing  info@myelectric.coop or 719-395-2412.

Ballots

  • Paper ballots will be mailed in early May to all eligible voters listed as of April 23.
  • Choose to vote online or via mail – instructions for both methods will accompany your ballot. You must vote online or by mail. No ballot drops or booth locations will be available. If you are missing your ballot or need information about voting, please call our office before the voting deadline, 719-395-2412.
  • Online voting will open when ballots are mailed. To vote online, or to vote prior to receiving your paper ballot with online voting instructions, simply visit our website sign-in at myelectric.coop or use the SmartHub app. First-time sign-in or SmartHub app users will need their account number, then just sign in and vote.
  • Members with valid email addresses as of April 23 will also receive information and reminders to vote electronically.
  • If a membership casts an online vote and mails a paper ballot, the paper ballot vote will supersede the online vote. Ballots must be received by the election company (not postmarked) by the 1 p.m. June 18 deadline to be counted. If a paper ballot is received after deadline, the online vote cast will stand.

Financial Disclosures by Candidates

To foster transparency, candidates are required to disclose campaign contributions and expenditures. Details of any contributions and expenditures over $50 must be itemized.

Disclosures are due by 4:30 p.m. March 31,May 14, and June 11 and will be posted at the link below after receipt.

Your Participation Matters

Your vote is pivotal in shaping the future actions and policies of SDCEA. Don’t miss out on the chance to contribute to the direction of your cooperative – vote!

The election will be completed (results certified and announced) on June 22, therefore, no voting activities will take place at the annual meeting June 24.

Click the following links for: