SEIU Local 500 Election 2025
January 2025 - December 2027 SEIU Local 500 Election Committee
Election Committee Chair - Tamara Hardy, At-large, Office
Election Committee Co-chair - A’Jeenah Chavez, Office
Election Committee Members:
Charnel Hines, Security Richard Collins, Transportation
Chia Chi Tsui, Food Service Stacy Hopkins-Jones, Paraeducator
James Tyler, Building Service Ben Schnapp, Media & Technology
Election Committee Summary:
Members of Service Employees International Union, Local 500 (“Local 500” or the “Union”), voted in an election for officers of the Union to begin serving July 1, 2025. The votes were counted on May 15, 2025. After the election, the Election Committee received three appeals of the election results, alleging violations of Election Rules and the Local Constitution.
The Election Committee investigated the appeals. One was filed beyond the ten-day deadline provided by the Local Constitution. The Election Committee found that it had no jurisdiction over the appeal and dismissed it.
Another appeal alleged that a number of candidates had used cover letters which violated the Election Rules for their petitions to become candidates in the election. The Committee’s investigation found that there was no dispute of fact and that no violation had occurred. The Committee dismissed the appeal.
A third appeal alleged that Oriole Saah, a candidate for Treasurer, violated the Election Rules and Local Constitution in her campaign. The Committee investigated the appeal and found that there was no dispute of fact and that Ms. Saah had violated Election Rules B.1 and B.2 and the Local Constitution, specifically through use of Union and employer property in the campaign, and that her campaign materials were presented in a manner which may have led reasonable voters to believe that she had been endorsed by the Union or an employer.
The Committee issued a Preliminary Report and provided affected parties with notice and an opportunity to respond to the Preliminary Report. The Committee thoroughly reviewed the responses received and, on June 26, 2025, issued a Final Decision and Order and adopted the Preliminary Report as its final report.
In its Final Decision and Order, pursuant to its mandate and authority under Article VIII, Section 3, M of the Local Constitution and the Election Rules, the Committee has set aside the results of the election for Treasurer and ordered a rerun of the Treasurer election. The rerun election will be held in September 2025. Details of the election, including the calendar, will be announced by the Election Committee shortly.
Copies of the Committee’s Final Decision and Order, as well as its Final Report, have been sent to all parties required under the Local Constitution and Election Rules. Members may obtain a copy of the Final Decision and Order, as well as the Final Report, from the Local’s office by appointment.
Final Election Results:
(In alphabetical order by office)
Office of Vice President of the K-12 Division, MCPS Media & Technology Chapter
Cynthia T. Taylor - IT Systems Specialist at Quince Orchard High School
Office of Vice President of the K-12 Division, MCPS Paraeducator Chapter
Vicki Brown - Professional Growth Consultant at the Office of Organizational Development
Erricka Evans - Paraeducator at Cabin Branch Elementary School
Sally Murek - Paraeducator Program Manager at the Office of Strategic Initiatives
Noelia Torres - Paraeducator, Special Education at Infants and Toddlers - East County
Office of the Treasurer
The Office of Treasurer will be decided by an election rerun in September of 2025. See summary above.
UNCONTESTED RACES:
The following uncontested candidates have met the eligibility requirements to serve on the newly installed SEIU Local 500 Executive Board, effective July 1, 2025. The candidates listed below have no opposition and are hereby deemed elected in accordance with the SEIU Local 500 Constitution and Bylaws.
Office of the President - Pia Morrison
Office of Executive Vice President - Carlene Butt-Pruitt
Office of Secretary - James Mulhern III
Offices of Vice Presidents, K-12 Division:
MCPS Building Service Chapter - Jenny Amaya Diaz
MCPS Food Service Chapter - Christina Brunner
MCPS Maintenance Chapter - Todd Houser
MCPS Office Employees Chapter - Nathalie Bourdereau and Leshia Murray
MCPS Security Chapter - Josean “Ace” Acevedo-Soto
MCPS Transportation Chapter - Michael A. White
The Election Committee has determined the following vacancies for the SEIU Local 500 Executive Board:
Offices of Vice Presidents of the Higher Education Division:
Full-time Faculty Chapter - (1) vacancy
Graduate Students Chapter - (1) vacancy
Operational & Support Staff Chapter - (1) vacancy
Part-time Faculty Chapter - (2) vacancies
Offices of Vice Presidents of the K-12 Division:
MCPS Building Service Chapter - (1) vacancy
MCPS Transportation Chapter - (1) vacancy
Offices of Vice President of the Early Education Division - (1) vacancy
Offices of Vice President of the Human Services Division - (1) vacancy
Offices of Vice President of the Non-profit Division - (1) vacancy
Position of Trustee - (2) vacancies