Process and Timeline
Key Dates
- July 14, 2025: Call for Nominations
- August 18, 2025: Nominations for all positions are due
- September 8,2025: Complete nominee packets due
- October 2025: Virtual interviews
- Early November 2025: Candidate Notifications
- Mid-November 2025: Ballot announced
- Mid-December 2025: Petitions due
- January 5, 2026: Campaigns begin
- January 19-26, 2026: Online Voting Open
- January 27, 2026: Results verified and announced
The Academy National nomination and election cycle is designed to be convenient, efficient, inclusive and equitable. From nominations to final voting by Academy members, each step is structured to support broad participation in selecting the future leaders of the organization and profession.
Call for Nominations
Each summer, the Academy announces the call for nominations for national Academy positions through Eat Right Weekly, email and social media. Any member can nominate a potential candidate. If you are nominated for a national leadership position, you will be contacted via email notifying you of the position(s) for which you were nominated and confirm your interest. The email will contain an individualized link to complete an online biographical form that provides information, including complete biographical sketches, video recordings and curricula vitae or resumes, which assist the Nominating Committee in selecting the most qualified individual for the ballot positions.
In addition, if you are interested in a position, nominate yourself! Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. Whether a nominee is self-nominated or nominated by another member, all nominees are given equal consideration.
Preliminary Reviews
Nominees are asked to complete nominee packets, which include curricula vitae or resumes, digital photos and self-recorded videos. The Nominating Committee reviews these materials to assess key personal and professional attributes and demonstrated leadership skills as they relate to the qualifications and skill set needs for each position. In the Nominating Committee's preliminary review, nominees are selected for the next phase: interviews.
Nominee Interviews
The Nominating Committee conducts virtual interviews for all Board of Directors positions — including President-elect, Treasurer-elect, Directors-at-large, Speaker-elect and HOD Directors — using position-specific interviewer panels to accommodate scheduling. While nominees for the same position are interviewed by the same panel, panels vary by ballot position. Interviews are recorded exclusively for review by the full committee.
Ballot Selection and Announcement
Taking into account materials submitted by nominees, recorded interviews and personal knowledge or experience working with the nominees, the Nominating Committee identifies the individuals most qualified for the national leadership positions on the ballot. Confidential notifications are sent to the candidates, as well as to nominees not selected for the ballot that year. Once candidates are confirmed, the Nominating Committee informs the Board of Directors and announces the official ballot to Academy membership.
Ballot Petitions
Any nominees who met the criteria and deadlines, completed a Nominee Packet that was considered by the Nominating Committee, and was not selected for the ballot may petition Academy members for inclusion on the ballot. Intent to petition must be submitted to the Nominating Committee within 5 days of ballot announcement, and petitions signed by no fewer than 5% of the voting membership are due 30 days after the ballot is posted.
Election Campaigns
Candidate information — including biographical sketches, photos and videos — are posted online to the Academy Elections website. Approximately two weeks before the election, candidates are invited to begin campaigning. All candidates and Academy members are accountable for adhering to the National Campaign Rules, which specify guidelines to promote a positive, professional and fair elections.
Voting Opens
Academy members in the Active, Retired or Student categories may participate in national elections through electronic voting. The 2026 Academy Elections are open for a period on one week, from January 19 – January 26, 2026. Each member is entitled to one vote per ballot. Absentee ballots are available only to those who will not have internet access during the voting period. Absentee ballots must be requested by contacting nominations@eatright.org no later than January 1, 2026. Only ballots postmarked no later than January 26, 2026, will be counted.
Election Results Announcement
After polls close, a third party tallies and verifies the election results, all candidates are notified, and the Academy announces the election results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each summer, the Academy announces the call for nominations for national Academy positions through email, publications and social media. Nominations are collected through an online form (link is posted during call for nominations).
There are several leadership positions available on the Academy national ballot each year, including President-elect, Treasurer-elect, Board of Directors Director, Speaker-elect, House of Delegates Director-at-Large and Nominating Committee. Additional leadership positions rotate according to term cycle. Positions scheduled to appear on the upcoming ballot are listed in the call for nominations and on the online nomination form.
Any member can nominate a potential candidate, but only individuals in the Active and Retired membership categories are eligible to hold elected offices.
Of course! Any Academy member who meets the eligibility criteria is welcome and encouraged to nominate themselves.
If you are nominated for a national leadership position, you will be contacted via email notifying you of the position(s) for which you were nominated and confirm your interest. The email will contain an individualized link to complete an online biographical form that provides information, including complete biographical sketches, video recordings and curricula vitae or resumes, which assist the Nominating Committee in selecting the most qualified individual for the ballot positions.
No, being nominated does not equate to being a candidate on the ballot. Even nominees with impressive credentials may not become a candidate that year, as the numbers of open positions are limited. Candidates are selected according to qualifications, experience and skill sets, along with the leadership needs identified by the Nominating Committee and the Academy Board of Directors. Nominees who meet the qualifications for a position but were not added to the ballot that year are strongly encouraged to re-apply for those positions.
All candidates and nominees are notified by the Nominating Committee prior to the ballot announcement.
The 2026 National Elections are January 19 –26, 2026.
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