Ballot Petition Rules

Eligible petitioners are individuals who have met all of the following criteria in the current election year:

• Submitted a complete Biographical Information Form.
• Meet the qualifications of the office.
• Were not selected for the ballot.

Additionally, individuals nominated for positions on the Board of Directors or the Nominating Committee must have completed the interview process to qualify for petitioning. No more than one petitioner will be added to the Academy ballot per election. The first individual who successfully collects the required number of validated signatures and meets the position qualifications will be included on the ballot.

The process for petitioners follows:

1. Notify the Nominating Committee within five business days of the announcement of the ballot to the membership of your intention to petition. The Nominating Committee will respond within three business days acknowledging your intention.
2. For all national ballot positions collect signatures from no fewer than 5% voting members of the Academy (minimum 2,155). Any duplicate name(s) will be counted once.
3. The petitioner will be governed by the same rules as the other candidates, including adherence to the Campaign Rules. Any violation of the campaign rules may result in disqualification from the ballot.
4. The use of contact information procured from any Academy roster, directory or contact lists, communication channels or Academy social media platforms for petitioning is prohibited. The only statement a petitioner may use when soliciting signatures follows.
   • I am seeking 5% of eligible Academy voters' signatures for consideration as a Petition Candidate for the position of XXX on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics national ballot. If you support the placement of my name on the ballot, please fill in all required information on the petition attached/linked here. This information must be completed and returned to me by XX time on XXXX date. This is an approved Academy Nominating Committee procedure and statement.
5. An electronic petition must be filed with the chair of the Nominating Committee in an Excel format. The petition form must include each supporter's name, membership/registration numbers and date. The Academy will contact a sample of supporters to verify their participation in the petition.
6. Upon receipt of the completed petition, the Academy will notify the petitioner of its acceptance within five business days.
7. If successful, the petitioner will be identified as the "Petition Candidate" wherever displayed, such as on the list of candidates, the national ballot and the Academy's nominations and election website. The Petition Candidate's name will be placed on the ballot following the ballot selected candidates for that position. The definition of a "Petition Candidate" will be referenced on the ballot: In accordance with the Academy's established petition process, a Petition Candidate is one who has petitioned to be placed on the ballot by obtaining the required number of valid signatures from members.
8. The completed petition, with all required documentation, must be received no later than 30 calendar days after the ballot is announced to the membership and will be valid only for the current election.

Send petitions and supporting documentation to:

Nominating Committee: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606
Email Petition