The Education Association of Alexandria’s upcoming officer elections were postponed this week due to alleged campaign or election violations, according to the union’s communications to members.
The EAA broadly cited campaign or election violations in a Sunday (May 17) email update to its members on officer elections. Andrea Hill, chair of the EAA Credentials/Election Committee, told members the virtual elections — originally scheduled from Monday (May 18) to Wednesday (May 20) — would be postponed to Thursday (May 21) and Friday (May 22). Hill said an investigation into the allegations had taken place.
“The Credentials/Elections Committee has received several formal complaints related to the violation of election campaign regulations,” Hill wrote. “An investigation has been completed. However, the Credentials/Elections Committee needs additional time to recommend a remedy to the Executive Committee. Therefore, the election is being postponed until Thursday, May 21, 2026. If you have any questions or concerns, you should contact the EAA Office at [email protected]. Thank you for your patience as we ensure a fair election.”
The postponement has stirred controversy among candidates running for the union’s top positions, since few details about the allegations have been released.
EAA president Dawn Lucas is not running for reelection. Her seat is being sought by David Paladin-Fernandez and current EAA vice president Madeline Wingate-Alfonso. Tyron Barnes is running against Mary Gaddis for vice president, and Howard van der Sluis is running against Diana Carvajal for treasurer.
In a joint statement released to ALXnow, Paladin-Fernandez, Barnes and van der Sluis said no candidates were made aware of the nature of the alleged violations.
“They could be against us, they could be against our opponents,” the three candidates wrote. “We simply do not know … The very first thing we will do is enshrine election regulation and timelines into the EAA’s bylaws so membership will always know when they have an opportunity to engage in the democratic process. Additionally, we will make the budget of EAA more accessible to membership, thus increasing transparency and trust in our organization. Finally, we will ensure EAA members have active representation which fight for their best outcomes.”
In a follow-up email to members Tuesday (May 19), Hill wrote that she had received concerns and questions asking for more information.
“I understand and share the desire for transparency, and I am committed to sharing what I am able to at this time,” Hill wrote. “As stated in the email, allegations of campaign/election violations were brought forward that required review and attention. Members of both the Credentials/Elections
Hill continued: “I understand that there are many questions and concerns, and they will be addressed. The Credentials/Elections
EAA did not respond to emails and texts from ALXnow.
The union operates out of a small office it rents at 2857 Duke Street, and recently negotiated a one-year, $12.7 million collective bargaining agreement for ACPS staff.
EAA’s campaign regulations are:
These Campaign Regulations will be distributed by the EAA Credentials/Elections Committee to every EAA member who requests a petition form for an elected position. All candidates must acknowledge their receipt and understanding of these Campaign Regulations by signing the Campaign Regulations Agreement and submitting it to the Credentials/Elections Committee with their petitions.
REVENUE AND EXPENSES
Campaign Contributions
No money, resources, or staff of EAA, VEA, or an EAA or VEA political action committee (PAC), or of any other labor organization, shall be used to promote the candidacy of any individual running for EAA elected office. This restriction also prohibits the use of EAA or VEA’s official logos on candidate campaign materials.
ASSOCIATION RESOURCES AND ENDORSEMENTS
- No resources of EAA, VEA, or any VEA affiliate may be used to support any candidate
- EAA and VEA resources may be used only in a purely objective, nonpartisan, unbiased way to communicate information about all candidates
- EAA members may endorse a candidate so long as the endorsement decision is made in one’s individual capacity, and not in the capacity of any position held with Alexandria City Public Schools or EAA
- Candidates may refer to any endorsements in their own campaign materials
- Candidates may not solicit endorsements from individuals, entities, groups, unions, or any other sources outside of EAA
CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES
Campaign Communications
- Candidates may create print and digital materials in support of their candidacy, including, but not limited to, posters, brochures, biographical sketches, position papers, websites, and electronic communications. Candidates may also create campaign SWAG, for example, buttons, t-shirts, and stickers. On all such materials, candidates must disclose the source of the item and any sponsorship, unless the item is too small to include such information. If the item is too small for source and/or sponsorship information, candidates may distribute the item only from a table or booth where the source is clearly indicated, for example, on a nearby sign.
- Candidates may use photographs of EAA members on their campaign materials, but must receive written authorization from each individual pictured before doing so.
- Contact information for EAA members is a union resource and therefore cannot be shared directly with any candidate
- Candidates are prohibited from using member contact information to which they have access by virtue of any current leadership position
- The Credentials/Elections Committee will publish for every candidate a candidate statement or biography. Biographies cannot exceed 100 words and should include the ACPS job title, school name, and EAA or other local association experience. Biographies exceeding 100 words will be truncated to 100 words. If no biography is submitted, a statement indicating that no biography was submitted may be published in its place
- All campaign materials and communications must comply with the VEA Code of Member and Affiliate Professional Conduct
Union Logos Prohibited
- Use of the NEA, VEA, or EAA logo on any campaign literature or materials is prohibited by law
- Candidate websites cannot use the name or abbreviation for NEA, VEA, or EAA in their web address, unless the name minimizes possible confusion, such as “WashingtonforEAApresident.com”
- Candidate social media sites can use the name or abbreviation for NEA, VEA, or EAA in its title, but candidates must make clear that the site is a candidate page and not an official union page
- Candidates can wear, as any regular member might, an item(s) of clothing with the NEA, VEA, or EAA logo. However, candidates cannot wear or display a limited or custom-made item – one not available to all members – with the NEA, VEA, or EAA logo
Campaigning on Work Time or with Work Resources Prohibited
- Candidates who currently hold an elected union position may participate or engage in campaign activities, but must not do so during official NEA, VEA, or EAA functions. Candidates who currently hold an elected position and work full-time for EAA may not campaign during work time. They must campaign after hours or take leave
- Candidates who currently hold an elected position are prohibited from using NEA, VEA, or EAA funds or resources, including computers, phones, and email for the creation or distribution of their campaign materials or for any other campaign activity, except for those resources that are provided to all candidates
- Candidates who are currently employed by ACPS may not campaign during work time and may not use employer resources, including computers, phones, email, and any physical space that requires submission and approval of a use request. Candidates may campaign during break time, duty-free lunchtime, and outside work hours, including when on leave
- All candidates must use a personal computer and email when engaging in campaign activities
- Candidates are responsible for the conduct of those acting on their behalf (including those circulating petitions)
VIOLATIONS
- It is the responsibility of the Credentials/Elections Committee to enforce these regulations
- Any EAA member may raise a complaint alleging a violation of these Campaign Regulations. Complaints should be reported to the Credentials/Elections Committee as soon as possible, but in any event within ten (10) business days
- The Credentials/Elections Committee will promptly investigate the complaint, prepare a written report, and recommend a remedy, if any, to the Executive Committee
- The Executive Committee shall determine the appropriate remedy, if any, with the goal of providing all candidates with equal access to voters and equal opportunity to campaign
- If the complaint is raised and investigated after the polls have closed, the Credentials/Elections Committee shall report its findings to the Executive Committee and shall recommend to the Board of Directors whether the election should be set aside. The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final.
- Candidates who hold a seat on the Executive Committee or Board of Directors must recuse themselves from these complaint and investigative processes.
