Green Party of the United States - National Committee Voting

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Ranked Choice Vote Details

Ranked Choice Vote ID	1259
Ranked Choice Vote	2025 Election - GPUS Secretary
Type	Secret Ballot Revealed at Close of Polls
Number of Seats	1
Ranked Choice Vote Administrator	Charles Ostdiek
Phase	Closed - 1 Elected
Discussion	07-14-2025 - 07-25-2025
Voting	07-26-2025 - 08-02-2025
Presens Quorum	Two Thirds of Active Accredited States/Caucuses
Candidates	Philena Farley, OH Holly Hart, IA Esme Silverman, OR No Other Candidate

Background

2025 Election - GPUS Secretary
This ranked choice vote is to elect a Secretary to the Steering Committee. No write-ins are allowed. The choice of NOC (No Other Candidate) has been added at the time candidate bios are also added to this ballot.

Candidate bios and information are available below candidates' entries and at - https://www.gp.org/2025_sc_elections

More information may be posted to the national committee business ("votes") email list.

About Steering Committee Elections:
http://gpus.org/bylaws/#06

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STEERING COMMITTEE
GPUS Bylaws, Article IV. The Steering Committee:
http://gpus.org/bylaws/#04

GPUS Rules & Procedures, Article II, Steering Committee Duties and Responsibilities:
http://gpus.org/rules-procedures/#02

Candidate Information

Philena Farley, OH
I am Philena Farley, a lifelong organizer, technologist, and advocate for justice, transparency, and collective action. My journey with the Green Party began at the grassroots—first as a volunteer, then as a candidate, and now as a leader at the local, state, and national levels.

I currently serve as Co-Chair of both the Ohio Green Party and the National Black Caucus, where I work every day to amplify the voices of those too often left out of politics. In 2018, I ran for U.S. Senate from Ohio as a Green, and I’ve held roles as state party treasurer, campaign treasurer for our 2018 governor’s race, and National Committee delegate. These experiences have taught me the value of transparency, accountability, and building power from the ground up.

Professionally, I am a High-Impact Legal Operations Specialist at Ricoh USA, Inc., where I implement new services, document processes, and drive collaboration using agile and scrum methodologies. My background in technical writing and project management helps me bring clarity and structure to everything I do—skills I believe are essential for the role of National Secretary.

Beyond elections, I am passionate about racial and economic justice, reproductive rights, and digital democracy. As a media co-chair and frequent presenter at Green Party events, I’ve trained candidates and activists in effective communication, campaign strategy, and community organizing. I believe in the SEED framework—centering structural equity, transparency, and the common good in all our work.

Locally, I have volunteered my time to host booths and support community outreach for organizations such as the Free Software Foundation, Rank the Vote Ohio, Move to Amend, and the Community Bill of Rights in Columbus, Ohio. These experiences have deepened my commitment to grassroots democracy, digital rights, and people-powered movements.

The Green Party’s Four Pillars—Peace and Non-Violence, Ecological Wisdom, Grassroots Democracy, and Social Justice—guide me every day. I am running for National Secretary because I want to help build a transparent, inclusive, and resilient Green Party that truly reflects our values and lifts up every voice.

If you share my vision for a party rooted in justice and accountability, I invite you to join me. Together, we can build the future we deserve.

Contact:
Philena Farley
Co-Chair, Ohio Green Party & National Black Caucus
pifbits@ohiogreens.org

Holly Hart, IA
I am running for Secretary of the GPUS and I would be honored to receive your vote.
I am seeking a second term because I want to complete some of the work I undertook to help make operations clearer and more efficient to pass along to the next person/s. When I stepped into this role, there were a number of things that had fallen into “disrepair” or were in the process of becoming disorganized, with some material lost.
The secretarial tasks involve a number of discrete-but-inter-related bits and pieces. I am committed to helping the party function efficiently and will do my best to carry out the tasks involved. I believe it would be worthwhile to educate more people who have an interest in this type of position, and would like to invite those who may be interested to “job shadow,” so as to ensure smooth transitions. I also hope to engage more people interested in this area to offer ideas; and, if there is interest, volunteers with web design experience willing to offer their talents to Greens running for office – request for web assistance has been the most frequent request from Green candidates.
In the same way that SC Co-chairs act as liaisons to various working committees, the Secretary is a point person to help facilitate those involved in general communications. The position does not involve designing the website, and has no extra authority or access outside of what might be granted an individual on behalf of a working committee. The position involves knowledge of what communications tools and resources are in use, and should involve helping facilitate communications among those with that interest. I have had experience (as a user and on the back end) with some programs and applications often used by activists and office workers, either as involved with the Green Party or with work or other activities. Website applications have included Wordpress, some NationBuilder, WixSite, Braveheart. Communications/Email/Messaging include email lists, such as Mailman and Googlegroups; Reddit, Slack, Discord, Signal; other social media and publishing applications include Facebook, Nextdoor; X/Twitter, BlueSky, Substack, some TIkTok, MeWe (not recent, not sure how current it is); and project management, conference and “all-in-one” programs – groups.io, Trello, Basecamp, Loomio, Teams. WebEx, Zoom, FreeConference, FreeConference Call, OnSuite. If useful, I would be interested in helping individuals interested in collaborating on design, communications, etc.

CURRENT and RECENT WORK
Cleaning-up “natlcomvotes” and “natlcomaffairs” email lists. This is still in progress, but making good headway.
Cleaned up part/much of Google Drive most in use, also still in progress but moving forward. I am adding Protocols for Committee Co-chairs for transferring Google docs and materials to help keep GPUS documents, information and materials under the GPUS’ purview.
Added space on Steering Committee meetings for working committee representatives to provide reports. This has resulted in meetings getting a few more detailed and interesting reports.
-Asked for secure storage for GPUS-owned and proprietary material, so it would remain available to committees, but not be delete-able.
Assisted approval of staff-created policy for access and security, and helped set up plan to ensure access to those who need it without creating large security risks.
-Advocate for open meetings and encourage observers for Steering Committee meetings.
Assist with Admin and requested tasks and provide info, as needed.
Created an interactive Delegate Overview session that can be offered on as at-needed basis.
Assisted with a delegate-organized Zoom session for those interested in reviewing various communications platforms to gain information on what tools might best be used for the NC.
General tasks, as prescribed by procedures; prepare SC Meeting agendas, send them for review and then post to the NC and web manager. Respond and follow up on tasks and requests in a timely manner
Help direct inquiries for information; general correspondence.
Provide assistance and resources for high school, college/university term and degree papers.

GOALS:
Finalize email list clean-up. This needs to be done, even though the national committee will move to another communications application.
Google Drive system: 1) fine-tune training and routine; 2) consider other storage options for saved documents while using Google for collaborative work in progress.
Continue Delegate Overviews, routine and/or on request
Include a similar Committee Overview.
Help to ensure Accessibility for whatever tools and activities are involved, for sight and hearing impaired, and other needs that could prevent barriers to participation.
“Job Shadows” for folks interested in learning more about the various tasks. This would help ensure a clearer understanding of the tasks involved, and an efficient transfer of tasks to the next persons/s who step into the role.
If useful, assist with involving newcomers interested in actions, design, campaign media support.
Help provide, based on feedback, information for migration to new communications platform for the national and working committees.
Help work out ways to increase “on the ground” actions for interested Greens when invited by national and local organizations.
Hunt down and clean up Bylaws/Rules & Procedures – collect and order some documents in a set to hand off to newcomers (that would also likely be helpful for long-time delegates). Better yet, encourage activation of the Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures Committee.

I believe all of the above, while not always particularly exciting, can go a long way toward helping to create a more civil and efficient communications system, regardless of whatever platform the NC eventually uses.
I am also running because I have enjoyed the type of work involved. I am familiar with the make-up of the GPUS and its various policy documents and am able to help steer newcomers to helpful information and resources. I am willing to be available at times delegates may be most apt to seek information or assistance, and help them (even if it’s something with which I would disagree with them as a delegate).

I am an advocate for open meetings and have encouraged members to observe calls.

I reinforce my interest in having more individuals learn more about the tasks required. It is advisable for more folks to have a familiarity with the way GPUS operates, including the “back end.”

To give delegates an idea of some of the other work I’ve been involved with, here are some of my recent activities: I am a past member of Coordinated Campaign Committee; current member of Media, Platform and Ballot Access Committees, and the National Women’s Caucus. I assist with organizing and electoral work in my local chapter and state party.

Past work (included here to give an idea of the work involved): Created a list and calendar of secretarial duties, updated and edited a Welcome/Information Message that goes to all new delegates and alternates, and an Info-sheet about the Voting Page.

Local/State Experience: Leafletting, tabling, petitioning, envelope-stuffing, event planning, media (press releases, appearances on Public Access TV, network television and radio), letter-writing, grabbing the mic. at public hearing sessions at city council meeting, etc… Sought and gained bi-partisan legislative support for an expanded ballot status option bill in 2001-2003; 2006-07, was a consultant in a related Green/Libertarian lawsuit successfully settled out of court. Coordinated ballot access petitioning in my state for Green presidential candidates since the early 2000’s. Oversaw ballot filing paperwork nationally for Cobb/LaMarche in 2004; McKinney/Clemente in 2008; some of the Stein/Baraka 2016 campaign. IAGP candidate for Lt Gov in 2002. (Slate was endorsed by the statewide Latinx weekly.) Volunteer with several local campaigns, including campaign treasurer. Panelist on women in electoral politics program, presented by the University of Iowa Women's Resource and Action Center. Current or past member of boards of directors for Extend the Dream Foundation, Emergency Housing Project (Shelter House), Citizens for Public Power, appointment to the city Housing and Community Development Commission.

Esme Silverman, OR
Hey everyone! Much appreciation to those of you who have expressed excitement and asked questions regarding my secretary campaign.

Firstly, I am honored to be sharing the floor with such passionate and committed delegates. Some of you have been here longer than I’ve been alive (2002) and it’s truly an honor to work with people who are dedicated to the Green Party Values.

One question I feel most important to address is whether or not my goals are compatible with the Secretary position.

After reading over section 2-2 of our bylaws to understand what the GPUS Secretary position entailed specifically, I envisioned how I could improve upon already existing structures. In particular, it was 2-2.4, 2-2.6, and 2-2.7 that motivated me to run for this position. I am a web designer, graphic designer, community organizer, but in my heart, I am a Green Party member that stands for progress and optimism. If there is an area I can improve, I will get right to work and support others around me. Maybe onex-bbedit-document:///untitled%20text%2016?34 day we can have an 11th pillar that emphasizes community care.

As a recent college graduate who wants to make a dent in this universe, I felt eager to comment the ways in which I could enrich GPUS and the Steering Committee should I be elected to the Secretary position. It’s why I love our future focus pillar so dearly. I want to support my friends, colleagues, and the Green Party for the future as much as I can.

I am eager to contribute to the growth of our party and look forward to participating in a candidate forum to address any further questions and discuss my motivations for the position. :)

Esmée Silverman
Pronouns: they/she
Queer Youth Assemble co-president
On stolen Multnomah land

No Other Candidate
n/a

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