Cast Your Vote in the 2023 Election

This 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. Those elected will take office on January 1, 2024.

Executive Board (two to be elected to three-year, 2024-2026 terms):

• Betty Belanus (Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage)
• Ashley Minner Jones (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)
• Margaret Steiner (Indiana University)
• Ziying You (The College of Wooster)

Nominating Committee (one to be elected to a three-year, 2024-2026 term):

• Lijun Zhang (George Mason University)
• Naomi Sturm-Wijesinghe (Los Herederos and City Lore)

Each of the candidates put forward by the AFS Nominating Committee (chaired by Sarah Gordon with members Carrie Hertz, Fernando Orejuela, and Guha Shankar) has provided a summary professional biography and shared their views in the AFS Candidates’ Forum.

Candidates’ Forum

A virtual Candidates’ Forum was held on Thursday, October 12, 4:30 pm–5:30 pm.

Voting

Secure online voting will begin on November 20 and will continue through December 21. Those elected will take office on January 1, 2024. 

Current members will receive an email with a personalized link that you can use to go directly to your secure, anonymous ballot. Look for a message with the subject “Vote now: American Folklore Society – 2023 AFS Election” message and a sender email address of [email protected]. Don’t forget to check your spam folder. Still can’t find it? Contact Jessica Turner at [email protected]. 

If you prefer a paper ballot, contact Cassie Rosita Patterson at [email protected] with the subject line “2023 AFS Election – Paper Ballot Request.”

Only current AFS members may vote. Not sure if you’re current? Log in to the AFS Member Portal – if you need to renew, you’ll be prompted to pay. Need assistance with your membership? Email Jessica Turner at [email protected].  If you’re not current at this time, allow us a couple business days to process your membership and send you the ballot link. Renew by December 10 to ensure that your dues are processed and your ballot is sent before the election deadline. 

Learn about the Candidates and cast your vote today!