THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2025 57 AFSA NEWS Voting Ballots will be distributed on or about March 31, 2025, to each regular AFSA member as of March 7, 2025. Candidates or their representatives may observe the ballot distribution process if they so desire. Each member may cast one vote for president, secretary, treasurer, and, in addition, one vote for a constituency vice president and each representative position in the member’s constituency. Regular members may cast their votes for candidates listed on the official ballot, or by writing in the name(s) of member(s) eligible as of Feb. 14, 2025, or by doing both. To be valid, a ballot must be received by 8 a.m. EDT on April 15, 2025, either (i) at the address indicated on the envelope accompanying the ballot or (ii) by online vote. More detailed balloting instructions will accompany the ballots. Note that the election cycle is 30 days shorter than in previous years, following a bylaw amendment that was approved by AFSA members in 2023. To reflect modern methods of communication and voter participation, the cycle has been altered to the shortest possible allowed by AFSA’s bylaws. The voting period is now 15 days. Vote Counting and Announcement of Results On or about April 15, 2025, the Committee on Elections will oversee ballot tabulation and declare elected the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each position. Candidates or their representatives may be present during the tally and may challenge the validity of any vote or the eligibility of any voter. The committee will inform candidates individually of the election results by the swiftest possible means and will publish the names of all elected candidates in the next issue of The Foreign Service Journal. Elected candidates will take office on July 15, 2025, as provided in the bylaws. The Committee on Elections members and supporting staff members may be reached at election@afsa.org. Members of the Committee on Elections Paul Oliva (FCS, chair), Dustin Bradshaw (State), Mort Dworken (retiree), Steve Herman (USAGM), Christine Mumma (FAS). Staff Members Ásgeir Sigfússon, Executive Director; Raeka Safai, Deputy General Counsel. n
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