Your SOA, Your Vote
Voting for the SOA Bylaws changes is coming soon! Get ready to help shape the future by voting on proposed changes at the same time you vote on candidates for the 2026 SOA Board election. Fellows can vote “yes” or “no” on each individual Bylaws proposal.
By voting either for or against each of the SOA Bylaws changes, you will help shape our future for the betterment of the organization and SOA members.
Voting Process
The SOA Bylaws vote will occur at the same time as the 2026 SOA Board Elections. A notice of the election will go out to all eligible FSAs 31-60 days in advance of the vote opening. Eligible FSAs will receive an electronic ballot via email from an independent vendor on September 2, 2026, and they will be able to vote on each SOA Bylaws proposal individually, instead of as a package. To pass, a proposal must receive affirmative votes equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast or 10 percent (10%) of all eligible Fellows, whichever is greater. Voting is confidential and anonymous, and votes will be counted by an independent vendor.
Results
Certified results will become available several days after the close of the voting period, which is September 2 through 21, 2026. The voting results will be sent to a team of SOA leaders for review and verification. Members will learn about the results via email announcement and other SOA communications, including the SOA website and social media.
No. ASAs who have been members for 10 years or more do not have the authority to vote on the Bylaws amendments at this time. ASAs who have been members for five years or more are able to vote in the Board elections, but not for SOA Bylaws amendments. If the proposed amendment enabling ASAs who are members for 10 years or more to run for a Board member position passes, then 10-year ASAs will be able to vote on SOA Bylaws amendments in the future.
All Board members elected in 2026, including the President Elect, will complete their full terms.
There will be several phases of implementation:
- September 2–21, 2026: FSAs will vote on Bylaws changes during the SOA Board Election period.
- The reduction in Board size would be phased in over time, ensuring stability and continuity.
- 16 directors on the Board in the 2027-2028 Board year
- 14 directors in the 2028-2029 year
- 12 directors starting in the 2029-2030 year and thereafter
- 2027 election: ASAs with at least 10 years of membership will become eligible to serve on the Board and vote on SOA Bylaws amendments. Board membership will be limited to no more than two ASAs at any time.
- 2027 election: Members elect the 2027-28 President Elect who will serve as President in 2028-29. The 2027-28 Chair will be the President and Chair elected in 2026; the first chair the Board will elect itself will be the 2028-29 Chair.
FSAs will vote on each of the three proposed changes individually, not as a package.
To be approved, each Bylaws change requires an affirmative vote from two-thirds of the Fellows who voted on it or at least 10% of all SOA Fellows, whichever is greater. For example, as of July 2026. Therefore, in order for the SOA Bylaws amendment to pass, an affirmative vote is needed from two-thirds of the Fellows who voted, or 10% of all Fellows, which is about 2,140.
SOA Board elections will continue to be competitive, and the voting process will remain largely the same. Eligible members can still self-nominate, and the petition process will also continue to be an option for those nominees not selected for the endorsed ballot. All FSAs and ASAs who have been members for 5+ years will continue to be eligible to vote in Board elections.