ALA introduces online balloting for 2004 member elections

Contact: Larra Clark


ALA Press Officer


312-280-5043

For Immediate Release


October 13, 2003

ALA introduces online balloting for 2004 member elections

In the 2004 elections, the American Library Association (ALA) will introduce online voting.
Electronic ballot information will be transmitted to all ALA members with valid e-mail addresses in March 2004.
As with the paper ballot, members will be able to vote for ALA officers, councilors and division and roundtable officers via the election Web site. ALA members without valid e-mail addresses on file and members who prefer to vote via paper ballot will receive materials by mail.

Many associations have found that online voting increases member participation in elections,” said ALA President Carla Hayden. “I am pleased we are going to be instituting this change at the ALA, and I hope members will take advantage of the opportunity by updating their e-mail addresses.”

The ALA has contracted with Survey and Ballot Systems (SBS), which also has conducted the last two ALA elections, to coordinate the online and paper balloting.
Among SBS’ clients are the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Between now and February 2004, members are encouraged to update their contact information by going to
www.ala.org and logging into the member’s-only area.
Members who prefer to vote via paper ballot are asked to contact Member and Customer Services at 800-545-2433 and press 5, or by email at
membership@ala.org.