Code_of_Canon_Law

Can. 163 The authority to whom, in accordance with the law, it belongs to appoint one who is
presented, is to appoint the person lawfully presented whom he has judged suitable, and who has
accepted. If a number lawfully presented are judged suitable, he is to appoint one of them.
ARTICLE 3: ELECTION
Can. 164 Unless it has been otherwise provided in the law, the provisions of the following
canons are to be observed in canonical elections.
Can. 165 Unless it is otherwise provided in the law or in the statutes of the college or group, if a
college or a group of persons enjoys the right to elect to an office, the election is not to be
deferred beyond three canonical months, to be reckoned from the receipt of notification of the
vacancy of the office. If the election does not take place within that time, the ecclesiastical
authority who has the right of confirming the election or the right to make provision otherwise, is
freely to provide for the vacant office.
Can. 166 §1 The one who presides over the college or group is to summon all those who belong
to the college or group. When it has to be personal, the summons is valid if it is made in the
place of domicile or quasi-domicile or in the place of residence.
§2 If someone who should have been summoned was overlooked and was therefore absent, the
election is valid. However, if that person insists and gives proof of being overlooked and of
absence, the election, even if confirmed, must be rescinded by the competent authority, provided
it is juridically established that the recourse was submitted within no more than three days of
having received notification of the election.
§3 If more than one third of the voters were overlooked, the election is invalid by virtue of the
law itself, unless all those overlooked were in fact present.
Can. 167 §1 When the summons has been lawfully made, those who are present on the day and
in the place specified in the summons have the right to vote. Unless it is otherwise lawfully
provided in the statutes, votes cast by letter or by proxy cannot be admitted.
§2 If an elector is present in the building in which the election is being held, but because of
infirmity is unable to be present at the election, a written vote is to be sought from that person by
the scrutineers.
Can. 168 Even if someone has a right to vote in his or her own name by reason of a number of
titles, that person may cast only one vote.
Can. 169 In order that an election be valid, no one may be allowed to vote who does not belong
to the college or group.
Can. 170 If the freedom of an election has in any way been in fact impeded, the election is
invalid by virtue of the law itself.