ACS Elections Process and Eligibility
The information on this page highlights elections process details and eligibility criteria for ACS National Office, including the ACS Presidential Succession, Director-At-Large, District Director, and Elected Committees of Council.
Need to Know
Qualifications for All Candidates
All candidates for the ACS Presidential Succession, Board of Directors, and/or Committees must be ACS members in good standing and on a Standard or Premium membership package.
Signature Requirements for Petition Candidates
Please contact the Office of the Secretary to inform the Secretary of their intentions to run and to receive pertinent information before sending out petition forms to collect signatures for nomination. Read more.
ACS Elected Committees
Three committees have been delegated by the Board of Directors to execute ACS governance operations: Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E), Council Policy Committee (CPC), and Committee on Committees (ConC).
The Slate
A slate is a list of potential nominees selected by members of the elected committees as suitable candidates for contention in a particular office. Individuals listed in the slate may accept or decline their nomination.
Would You Like to Nominate a Candidate?
N&E values the input of qualified ACS members who would like to be considered--or nominate someone else--for an ACS National Office.
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ACS President & Presidential Succession
The presidential succession is made up three separate elected officers:
- President-Elect
- President
- Immediate Past President
Individuals elected to the office of President-Elect assume that role for the entirety of the calendar year preceding the election. That year is followed by a one-year term in the office of the President, followed by a one-year term as Immediate Past President.
Members of the presidential succession are also part of the Board of Directors.
- Elections Process:
The Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E) create a slate by selecting four nominees for President-Elect.
- Candidate Selection:
After the slate is finalized, ACS Council selects two candidates from the four nominees. This goes through an official vote during the ACS Spring Council meeting. The two nominees with the most votes become the candidates in the general election that takes place in fall.
Note: a qualified member may become a candidate for President-Elect by collecting the required number of signatures from other ACS members. A petition candidate would be listed in the ballot in addition to the two candidates selected during the ACS Spring Council meeting.
- Campaigning Period:
Candidates are allowed to campaign from Candidates are allowed to campaign from April 5 to October 20.
Review Campaign Guidelines
- Election:
The election is held from September 25 to October 20, 2023. Results are announced on October 25, 2023*. All ACS members who are on standard or premium packages are allowed to vote. All ACS members who are on standard or premium packages are allowed to vote.
*This date is subject to change.
Note: Candidates can begin campaigning one week after the Spring Council every year. The election begins the last Monday in September and runs four full weeks through the third Friday in October, 12:00 p.m. (CT).
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Board of Directors
In addition to being a member with a Standard or Premium package, following are requirements to be considered for ACS Board of Directors:
- Director-At-Large
Only Councilors are eligible for Director-At-Large.
- District Director
Only members within a given district are eligible.
Elections Process: Board of Directors
Following is information regarding the nomination and elections process for the offices of Director-At-Large and District Director.
Director-At-Large
- Nominations
N&E selects four candidates via the creation of a slate. Before officially becoming nominees and/or candidates, individuals listed in the slate can accept or decline their nomination.
- Campaigning
Unlike District Director, candidates for Director-At-Large may begin campaigning after the Spring Council meeting.
- Election
The winning candidates are selected by vote through the ACS National Election. All ACS members who are on standard or premium packages are allowed to vote.
District Director
- Nominations
N&E creates a slate of nominees. Before officially becoming nominees and/or candidates, individuals listed in the slate can accept or decline their nomination.
- Primary
Following the Spring Council meeting, each district holds a primary election. Councilors vote via ballot to determine the two candidates that will compete in the national election.
- Election
The winning candidates are selected by vote through the ACS National Election. All ACS members who are on standard or premium packages are allowed to vote.
- Director-At-Large
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Elected Committees of Council
Three committees have been delegated by the Board of Directors to execute ACS governance operations. These elected committees are:
- Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E)
- Council Policy Committee (CPC)
- Committee on Committees (ConC)
Every year, the number of vacancies that need to be filled for each committee depends on the number of elected committee members whose term is ending and are ineligible for re-election or can no longer fulfill their role. Two candidates are selected for every vacancy.
Elections Process: Committees of Council
Slates for the three ACS elected committees are created as follows:
- Committee on Nominations and Elections Slate
Created by CPC
- Council Policy Committee Slate
Created by N&E
- Committee on Committees Slate
Created by N&E
The elections for vacant seats on Committees of Council is held at the Council Fall meeting.
