Democratic Member Control is one of the Seven Cooperative Principles that sets cooperatives like CHELCO apart from investor-owned utilities. As a member-owned cooperative, CHELCO is governed by representatives—known as Trustees—who are elected by and accountable to the membership.

CHELCO’s Board of Trustees consists of nine members, with three positions up for election each year. To ensure fair and balanced representation, CHELCO’s service territory is divided into nine geographic districts, with one Trustee representing each district. Trustee candidates must live within the district they seek to represent.

This year, members will elect Trustees for Districts 3, 5, and 8. All CHELCO members may vote in each district election, regardless of where they live. Voting will be conducted by mail ballot, and results will be announced at CHELCO’s Annual Meeting on April 18 at Freeport High School.

Interested in Running?
Members interested in serving as a Trustee must be in good standing and must have lived in the district they wish to represent for at least one year prior to the election. Trustee election packets and the district map are available at any CHELCO office or online at chelco.com/board-trustees.

A nominating committee reviews all applications and selects qualified candidates. Members may also become a candidate through the petition process outlined in CHELCO’s Bylaws, available at chelco.com/chelco-bylaws.

ELECTION DATE INFO

Feb. 5: Applications due to CHELCO by 4:00 PM

Feb. 17: Candidates’ names posted in CHELCO offices

Feb. 27: Petition Deadline

March 9: Election Opens

April 13: Election Closes

April 18: Results announced at CHELCO Annual Meeting