2024 AFS Election: Watch for Your Ballot and Cast Your Vote

Secure online voting began on November 21 and will continue through December 23 at 11:00 am ET. If you are a current member and have not yet received your ballot by email, please write to membership@afsnet.org.

This year, AFS members will vote for President-Elect, two seats on the Executive Board, and one seat on the Nominating Committee. The President-Elect will be for a four-year, 2025–2028 term. The Executive Board and the Nominating Committee members will both be for three-year, 2025–2027 terms. Those elected will take office on January 1, 2025.

One change to note since the Nominating Committee announced its slate is that candidate Maribel Alvarez has withdrawn from her candidacy for AFS President. (When a candidate withdraws after the Nominating Committee announces its slate, policy put forth by the AFS bylaws does not allow for this candidate to be replaced.) Read Maribel’s statement here; citing several potential new challenges impacting her family and community in the months ahead, Maribel will continue to serve AFS as a member of the Executive Board, co-chair of the academic programs task force, and member of the development committee.

President-Elect (to be elected for a four-year, 2025–2028 term):

• Maribel Alvarez (withdrawn*)
• Jason Baird Jackson (Indiana University)

*when a candidate withdraws after the Nominating Committee has announced its slate, policy put forth by the AFS bylaws does not allow for this candidate to be replaced.

Executive Board (two to be elected to three-year, 2025–2027 terms):

• Danille Christensen (Virginia Tech)
• Rachel González-Martin (University of Texas at Austin)
• Michael Knoll (HistoryMiami Museum)
• Anika Wilson (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

Nominating Committee (one to be elected to a three-year, 2025–2027 term):

• Gabrielle Berlinger (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
• Kelley Totten (Memorial University of Newfoundland)

Each of the candidates put forward by the AFS Nominating Committee (chaired by Guha Shankar with members Carrie Hertz, Naomi Sturm-Wijesinghe, and Marilyn White) has provided a professional biography, which you can find on the 2024 Election page. A recording of the Candidates’ Forum that took place on November 19 is also available on the election page.

Voting

Secure online voting began on November 21 and will continue through December 23 11:45 am ET. Those elected will take office on January 1, 2025.

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 – 2024 Election” message and a sender email address of invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com. Don’t forget to check your spam folder. Still can’t find it? Contact Jessica Turner at jturner@afsnet.org.

If you prefer a paper ballot, contact Charish Bishop at membership@afsnet.org with the subject line “2024 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 Charish Bishop at membership@afsnet.org. 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!