Annual elections as outlined in your community bylaws are the perfect opportunity to welcome new leaders to your community and to recognize the efforts of outgoing leaders. While some communities prefer to administer their own elections, AIS will host online voting on behalf of your community upon request.

Best Practices for Nominations and Elections

• Establish a nominating committee according to your bylaws. Do this at least 2-3 months prior to opening the elections, preferably at the beginning of the community's fiscal year.
• Establish a scope for the committee. See an example here.
• Utilize the AIS online voting process. See below for more information.
• After your annual election, please use this form to submit final officer updates to AIS. 

AIS Online voting process

1. Complete the online form with the following information to notify the AIS staff to set up the online ballot at least two weeks before the planned election. 
   1. List of positions and candidates
   2. Introductory message for ballot
   3. Election Period (dates the ballot should be open for voting)
   4. Link to candidate bios/platforms (hosted on your community website or group pages)
2. Send voting link to your community members announcing the dates elections are open.
3. After your election closes, AIS will send an anonymized report to your community's point of contact with the results.
4. After your annual election, please submit your update your officer roster this form to submit final officer updates.