ALA Election Information
Note that the below 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.
2015 Election Information
Your Guide to the 2015 Elections: flip book (Flash required) | PDF
President-elect Candidates’ web pages:
The candidates participated in a candidates' forum on Saturday, January 31, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., at the 2015 Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. Video of the forum is available on YouTube.
Review the candidate biographies:
Searchable spreadsheet of Council Candidates
ALA Election Process
In 2008, the American Library Association began holding its election exclusively online. The only exception is for members with disabilities and without Internet access. These individuals may obtain a paper ballot by contacting ALA customer service. Those without Internet access at home or at work can easily access the election site by visiting their local public (or in many instances, academic or school) libraries. The election site is also accessible on a Smartphone.
For the 2015 elections, eligible members will be sent their voting credentials via email between March 24-27, 2015. Any individuals whose emails bounced will be sent a “snail-mail” letter with their voting credentials. To be eligible to vote, individuals must have been members in good standing of ALA as well as applicable divisions and round tables as of January 31, 2015. Anyone who reinstates their membership after January 31, 2015 will be ineligible to vote in the 2015 elections.
Running for Office
The ALA Nominating Committee nominates candidates from among the general membership for the position of president-elect (annually), for the position of treasurer (every three years), 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 May.
About the Nominations Process
The 2015 Nominating Committee is no longer accepting nominations for the 2015 ALA elections..
Petition Candidates & E-Petition Form
- Petition Candidates Biographical Information form (link)
- Electronic Petition Form (link)
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Instructions for Creating Electronic Petition (pdf)
In addition to the Petition Candidate Biographical Information Form (link above), individuals wishing to appear on the 2015 ballot as a petition candidate for the office of ALA President-Elect, or ALA Councilor-at-Large must complete a petition form with the signatures of no fewer than 25 ALA current personal members. This link will take you to an electronic form that can be used for this purpose. This form must be filed with the ALA Executive Director no later than February 6, 2015.
Press Releases
- ALA announces slate of petition Council candidates
- LaRue, Todaro seek 2016-17 ALA Presidency
- Porcaro announces candidacy for 2016-17 ALA Presidency
- Janes announces candidacy for 2016-17 ALA Presidency
- ALA announces slate of council candidates
2014 Election Results:
2014 Election Statistics:
- 2014 Election Member Voting Statistics vs. Previous Years from 1970 (PDF)
- 2014 Election Response Rate by Ballot (PDF)
Elections FAQ, Guidelines & Detailed Schedule
- Election Schedule (PDF 67.3)
Job Descriptions
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President Job Description (PDF 27.7)
- Treasurer Job Description (PDF 20.8)
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Councilor Job Description (PDF 22.9)