Elections
Annual elections fill the various offices that will be vacant at the end of the year.
Every year, elections are held for seats on the Executive Board and Nominating Committee, while AFS President is on the ballot every other year. Periodically, amendments to the bylaws are proposed, and must be approved by two-thirds of AFS voters.
Questions? Contact the AFS Executive Director.
About AFS Elections
It is the task of the AFS Nominating Committee to assemble a slate of candidates from the AFS membership for election. Each year, the slate consists of four candidates for two Executive Board seats, and two candidates for one Nominating Committee seat. Every other year, the Nominating Committee presents two candidates for AFS President.
The Nominating Committee calls for recommendations from AFS members by the summer, and releases a slate of candidates and their platforms in advance of the Annual Meeting. AFS members may petition to add additional candidates to the ballot (see Bylaws, Article V, Section 3).
The Annual Meeting provides a Candidates’ Forum where members may hear from the candidates and ask questions.
AFS members vote to elect new officers in November and December. As of 2023, the Executive Board then elects one Board member in January or February each year, relying upon information and recommendations from the Nominating Committee and the general membership.
AFS invites members to suggest candidates for consideration. Contact the AFS Executive Director.
Past Elections
Latest Election News
- AFS Executive Board Elects Lisa Rathje as Newest MemberThe American Folklore Society (AFS) is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Lisa Rathje by the AFS Executive Board to serve as a member of the Board from 2025–27. She brings extensive advocacy and leadership experience in both academic and public sector settings, and knowledge of K-12 education and diverse learning spaces in her work to support folklife education across the U.S. Please join us in welcoming Lisa Rathje to the AFS Executive Board!
- AFS Announces Results of 2024 ElectionThe American Folklore Society Executive Board is pleased to announce the results of the 2024 election.
- 2024 AFS Election: Watch for Your Ballot and Cast Your VoteThis year, AFS members will vote for President-Elect, two seats on the Executive Board, and one seat on the Nominating Committee. Those elected will take office on January 1, 2025. The voting deadline is December 23 11:45am ET.
- AFS Announces Candidates for 2024 ElectionThe AFS Nominating Committee (chaired by Guha Shankar with members Carrie Hertz, Naomi Sturm-Wijesinghe, and Marilyn White) has announced its slate of two candidates for each available office in the AFS 2024 election.
- AFS Executive Board Elects Kiran Singh Sirah as Newest MemberKiran Singh Sirah (Independent) has been elected by the AFS Executive Board to serve as a member of the Board from 2024-2026.
- AFS Announces Results of 2023 ElectionCongratulations to Betty Belanus and Ziying You, who were elected to the AFS Executive Board, and to Naomi Sturm-Wijesinghe, who was elected to the AFS Nominating Committee.
- Cast Your Vote in the 2023 ElectionThis year, AFS members will vote for two seats on the Executive Board and one seat on the Nominating Committee, all for a three-year, 2024–2026 term.
- Join the 2023 AFS Candidate’s Forum Using the Annual Meeting HubThe 2023 AFS Election cycle begins with a virtual Candidate’s Forum on Thursday, October 12, 4:30 pm–5:30 pm (PT).
- AFS Announces Candidates for 2023 ElectionThe AFS Nominating Committee has announced its slate candidates for each available office in the AFS 2023 election.
- AFS Nominating Committee and Executive Board Seek Nominations for 2023 ElectionThis year, in collaboration with the AFS Executive Board, the Nominating Committee seeks nominations and self-nominations for candidates for Nominating Committee and Executive Board. The Nominating Committee encourages all AFS members to recommend strong candidates for any of these offices by May 26, 2023.
- AFS Executive Board Elects Maribel Alvarez as Newest MemberDr. Maribel Alvarez (University of Arizona and Southwest Folk Alliance) has been elected by the AFS Executive Board to serve as a member of the Board from 2023-2025.
- AFS Executive Board at Work on Seating New Board-Elected MemberFollowing the general membership’s approval of a proposal to authorize the Executive Board to elect a new Board member each year, the Board is presently at work discussing current, pressing needs, as well as the process for how to best manage the process of adding Board-elected members going forward.