ALA Election Information

Running for Office

The ALA Nominating Committee nominates candidates from among the general membership for the position of president-elect (annually), and for members-at-large of Council (annually). Individuals who are not selected by the Nominating Committee may run for office by petition. ALA elections are held in the spring of each year with the results announced in early April.

2023 Spring Election

Ballot emailing for the 2023 ALA election will begin on March 13, 2023. The election will close April 5, 2023. Renew your membership by January 31, 2023 to ensure that you receive your ballot for the 2023 ALA election.

Nominated Candidates

Nominations for the 2023 elections opened July 1, 2022 and will close September 30, 2022. Interested candiates may submit a nominations form via this link: https://officers.directnominations.net/

Nominated candidates (President-elect, and Councilors-at-Large) may update their Biographical Information Form until December 31, 2022 via this link: https://officers.directnominations.net/

Petition Candidates

Individuals who did not complete a nomination form during the nomination period or were not selected by the Nominating Committee may run for office by petition. Members who are interested in running by petition may do so by completing an e-petition form:

President-elect with the signatures of no fewer than 200 ALA current personal members.
Councilor-at-Large with the signatures of no fewer than 25 ALA current personal members.
Petition forms will open October 1, 2022. Instructions for creating an e-petition click here.
In addition to the e-petition itself, members must complete the Petition Candidate Biographical Information Form.

Once the petition process is completed, petition candidates and nominated candidates are treated exactly the same. They are not differentiated on the ballot because they are on equal footing and are all viable candidates for these positions.

The petition period for the 2023 election will close on December 31, 2022.

Division and Round Table Elections

Please note that above information pertains to the ALA elections only. If you wish to run for a division or round table office please contact the division or round table as their information may be different.

To complete a Division and Roundtable Candidate Biographical Form: https://divrt.directnominations.net

Election Schedule

Executive Board Elections

Per ALA Bylaws, Article III. Nominations and Elections Section 6. Executive Board Members are elected by ALA Council from among the members of the Council. Executive Board Candidates must have served at the midwinter and annual conference before the start of the Executive Board term.

In 2022, two persons will be elected for three (3) years.
In 2023, three persons will be elected for three (3) years.
In 2024, three persons will be elected for three (3) years.
In 2025, two persons will be elected for three (3) years.
In 2026, three persons will be elected for three (3) years.

The schedule will then be repeated.

Councilors-at-Large Elections

In 2022, thirty-four (34) persons will be elected for three (3) years.
In 2023, thirty-three (33) persons will be elected for three (3) years.
In 2024, thirty-three (33) persons will be elected for three (3) years.
In 2025, thirty-four (34) persons will be elected for three (3) years.
In 2026, thirty-three (33) persons will be elected for three (3) years.

The schedule will then be repeated.

Open House Candidate Webinar for ALA President and ALA Councilor-at-Large

FAQ's & Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions about Running for Office (PDF)
Guidelines for Campaigning by Candidates for ALA Office - Updated 2021 (PDF)

Job Descriptions

President Job Description (PDF 27.7)
Treasurer Job Description (PDF 20.8)
Councilor Job Description (PDF 22.9)
ALA Council: Who, What, Why, and How (video)

2022 Elections Results:

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