Elections

Your Membership. Your Vote.

ACS is your Society! Voting in an ACS Election is one of many ways to engage and stay connected. 

ACS Primary Elections: Information

The ACS Primary Elections and balloting will be conducted by Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS). The elections open on January 30 and close on February 23 at Noon CT.  The ACS Primary Elections are only open to ACS Councilors. >> More Information.

Complete the ACS "Nomination Submission Form" by May 1, 2024 to suggest who should be considered Society Director and/or Officer Nominee (starting their term in 2026): 


ACS President-Elect Town Hall

Join us for the ACS President-Elect Town Hall!
Sunday, March 17, 2024 from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. CT
In-person Town Hall at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in the Jefferson Ballroom. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Running for Office

  • How do I run for office?

    It depends on the office that you will be seeking. Visit ACS Elections Process & Eligibility for detailed information on the overall elections process. Most nominees are placed in the ballot via the creation of a slate. Qualified members can self-nominate to be considered for inclusion in the slate. Finally, qualified members can become petition candidates by collecting the required number of signatures from ACS members.

  • Who is eligible to run for ACS national office?

    A qualified ACS member is a regular member who is on standard or premium package. Excluded from this are members with a basic package. In addition, only Councilors are eligible for Elected Committees and Director-At-Large while only members of a given district are eligible as candidates for their District Director seat.

  • How can I get on an elected committee?

    You must be an ACS regular member on a standard or premium package and a councilor. If you’d like to be considered for nomination to an elected committee, please submit an entry to the self-nomination form. Learn more about the ACS elections process and eligibility requirements.

  • What is the campaigning process like?

    ACS has developed guidelines that must be followed by all candidates.

Nomination Process

  • What are slates?

    A slate is a list of potential nominees agreed upon by members of the Committee on Nominations and Elections to be suitable for President-Elect, District Director, Director-at-Large, or Elected Committee member. Before officially becoming nominees, individuals listed in the slate can accept or decline their nomination.

  • How are slates created?

    Slates are created by the Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E) via creation of a slate. A slate is a list of potential nominees agreed upon by members of N&E to be suitable for President-Elect. Before officially becoming nominees, individuals listed in the slate can accept or decline their nomination.

  • What role does Council play in ACS national elections?

    Council is tasked with selection two candidates from the available four nominees in the slate for President-Elect, Director-At-Large, and Elected Committees. Candidates for President-Elect and Director-at-Large compete in a national general election while candidates for Elected Committees are elected at the Council Fall Meeting.

Voting

  • Who is eligible to vote?

    All ACS regular members who are on standard or premium packages. Excluded from this are members with a basic package.

  • How does ACS ensure that elections are fair?

    ACS has developed guidelines are to ensure fair, accurate, equitable, and compliant elections. 

  • Where can I see results of past elections?

    Results of past ACS national elections can be found on the Elections Resources page.

Governance Structure, Duties, and Term Limits

  • What is the presidential succession?

    The President-Elect office is part of the Presidential Succession. The Presidential succession is made up three separate elected officers:

    • President-Elect
    • President
    • Immediate Past President

    Individuals elected to the office of the President-Elect assume that role for the entirety of the calendar year proceeding the election followed by subsequent one-year terms to the office of the President, and Immediate Past President. The members of the Presidential Successions are also part of the Board of Directors.

  • What is the function of the ACS Board of Directors?

    The ACS Board of Directors is the Society's chief governing body. Its primary charge is to hold and administer all property, funds, and affairs of the Society.

  • What is the difference between District Director and Director-At-Large?

    A District Director can only be elected to the Board of Directors by ACS members within that given district.

    A Director-At-Large is elected to the Board of Directions by all ACS members in the fall general election.

  • What is an elected committee?

    The elected committees are the Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E) , Council Policy Committee (CPC), and Committee on Committees (ConC). These committees have been delegated by the Board of Directors to execute ACS governance operations. Members to these committees are elected by council vote.

  • What are the duties and skill-set expected of Officers and Elected Committees?

    Duties and skills for President-Elect, Board of Directors, and Elected Committees can be found on the Elections Resources page.

  • What are term limits for ACS national offices?

    Members who are elected to the Board of Directors and Elected Committees secure a 3-year term and are eligible to run for re-election as incumbent for a second and final 3-year term.

    Members who are elected to office of President-Elect serve for a single 1-year term followed by two subsequent 1-year terms as President, and Immediate Past President. This is known as the Presidential Succession. Members of the Presidential Succession are also members of the Board of Directors.

  • What are districts and how are they comprised?

    Districts are groups of geographically continuous Local Sections for the purpose of defining representation at the ACS Board of Directors. The ACS District map can be found on the Elections Resources page.

  • What district is my Local Section in?

    You can find your district by viewing the appropriate ACS District Map on the Elections Resources page.

Have a Question?

Contact ACS Governance