Your Guide to GOAL’s 2026 Elections

Nominations close at the October membership meeting. Here’s what members should know about what happens next.

Every year, GOAL members have a direct role in choosing the people who lead our organization.

The process begins well before Election Day. Under GOAL’s By-Laws, nominations for Executive Office are taken at the September and October General Membership meetings. Once the October meeting adjourns, nominations from the floor are closed. (Article XI, Section 4)

That makes our October membership meeting an important one. Whether you are considering running, thinking about nominating another member, or simply want to understand how your organization chooses its leadership, here is what you need to know.

What offices are up for election this year?

GOAL’s Executive Officers serve staggered two-year terms, so not every office is on the ballot every year.

The offices whose terms expire at the end of an even-numbered year—and therefore are up for election in 2026—are:

• Treasurer

• Recording Secretary

• Corresponding Secretary

• Assistant Treasurer

The new two-year terms begin following the expiration of the current terms on December 31. (Article XI, Section 10)

The remaining Executive Offices are on the opposite election cycle. (Article XI, Section 10)

Who can run for office?

Executive Office isn’t limited to current Board members.

A candidate for Executive Office must be a Professional Member of GOAL. To qualify, the member must have been in good standing for at least six months and attended at least three regularly scheduled General Membership meetings during the six-month period including and immediately preceding the final month for nominations. (Article XI, Section 2)

After nominations close, the Corresponding Secretary certifies whether each nominee meets the eligibility requirements. The Nominations Committee then contacts the nominees and confirms that qualified candidates understand the duties of the office and are willing to serve if elected. (Article XI, Section 4)

How do nominations work?

Nominations are taken from the floor during the General Membership meeting.

Before nominations are opened, the Nominations Committee identifies each office to be filled and reads the duties of that office from the By-Laws.

Nominations were solicited at the September meeting and will be solicited one final time at the October meeting.

Once the meeting adjourns, nominations from the floor are closed. (Article XI, Section 4)

If you are interested in serving—or know a member you believe would serve GOAL well—October is the time to act.

What happens after October?

Closing nominations doesn’t immediately create the ballot.

After the October meeting, the Nominations Committee works with the Corresponding Secretary to determine whether each nominee satisfies the qualifications for office. The Committee also contacts the nominees to confirm that those who qualify understand the responsibilities of the position and agree to serve if elected.

The qualified candidates are reported to the membership no later than the conclusion of the November General Membership meeting. (Article XI, Section 4)

Following that report, the President appoints an Elections Committee of between three and five members, subject to approval by a majority vote from the floor. Elections Committee members must be in good standing and cannot themselves be candidates for office. (Article XI, Section 5)

Who gets to vote?

This is another reason to make sure your membership is current.

Voting in Executive Office elections is limited to Professional Members who are in good standing as of November 1 and remain in good standing through Election Day. (Article XI, Section 6(A))

If you are unsure whether your membership is current, now is the time to check.

When do ballots go out?

For contested offices, election ballots are mailed to eligible voters by November 15 or within five days following the November membership meeting, whichever occurs later. (Article XI, Section 6(B))

If an eligible member has not received a ballot by November 25, the member may apply to the Elections Committee for a replacement. (Article XI, Section 6(B))

There is one important distinction for an uncontested office. If only one person is nominated, the By-Laws provide for an in-person ballot vote at the December membership meeting instead of a mailed ballot for that office. That vote takes place no sooner than 60 minutes after the meeting begins. (Article XI, Section 6(C))

In other words, an uncontested race is still an election.

When is the election?

Executive Officer elections are held at GOAL’s regularly scheduled December General Membership meeting. (Article XI, Section 1)

Ballots may be returned by mail or delivered by hand to the Chairperson of Elections and must be received no later than 60 minutes after the officially designated start time of the December meeting. (Article XI, Section 6(E))

The Elections Committee counts the ballots during the remainder of the meeting and announces the vote totals and winners when the count is complete. (Article XI, Section 6(F))

A majority of votes cast is required to elect an Executive Officer. The By-Laws also establish procedures for a tie or for a runoff when more than two candidates compete and no candidate receives a majority. (Article XI, Section 6(G))

What about campaigning?

Candidates may campaign, but GOAL’s membership list remains protected.

A candidate wishing to mail campaign literature must arrange the mailing through the Corresponding Secretary. Candidates are not provided GOAL’s membership mailing list.

Candidates for Executive Office may also agree to participate in a question-and-answer session or debate, potentially including one held in connection with the November membership meeting. Campaigning and electioneering are not permitted at or in the vicinity of the meeting room on Election Night. (Article XI, Section 9)

Why participation matters

Our elections are one of the most direct ways members shape the future of GOAL.

Running for office is one way to participate. Nominating someone you believe should serve is another. So is learning about the candidates, keeping your membership current and casting your ballot.

And the first deadline is approaching.

The October General Membership meeting is your final opportunity to make a nomination from the floor for the Executive Offices being elected this year.

Come to the meeting. Know the process. Have a voice in who helps lead your organization for the next two years.

2026 Election Timeline

OCTOBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING — Final nominations from the floor. Nominations close when the meeting adjourns. (Article XI, Section 4)

AFTER THE OCTOBER MEETING — Nominee qualifications are certified. (Article XI, Section 4)

NOVEMBER 1 — Professional Members must be in good standing to qualify to vote. (Article XI, Section 6(A))

NOVEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING — Qualified candidates are reported to the membership and the Elections Committee is established. (Article XI, Sections 4–5)

NOVEMBER 15 / FOLLOWING NOVEMBER MEETING — Ballots are mailed by November 15 or within five days following the November meeting, whichever is later. (Article XI, Section 6(B))

NOVEMBER 25 — Eligible members who have not received a ballot may apply for a replacement. (Article XI, Section 6(B))

DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING — Election, ballot count and announcement of results. (Article XI, Sections 1 and 6)