NAMI Voting & Elections Information

Voting at NAMI

NAMI elections include the selection of board members and consideration of any bylaws amendments or resolutions proposed by the membership.

The NAMI Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the 2024 NAMI Elections are open. The NAMI Board welcomes nominations of current NAMI members from NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates across the Alliance. Members are also invited to bring forward proposed amendments to the NAMI Bylaws and Board resolutions. 

Information about the 2024 NAMI elections can be found on the 2024 NAMI Elections page.

NAMI Elections Overview

Five new members are elected each year to serve for a standard three-year term. Nominees to the Board of Directors must be NAMI members and members of record of the NAMI Affiliate or NAMI State Organization making the nomination. Nominations may be made only by NAMI Affiliates and NAMI State Organizations that have submitted their memberships and paid dues by the nomination deadline. Each NAMI Affiliate and NAMI State Organization may nominate no more than one candidate. Nominations must be received by NAMI no later than 60 days prior to the NAMI Annual Business Meeting.

NAMI members may also propose amendments and proposed resolutions to the NAMI Bylaws. Proposals must be received by NAMI 60 days prior to the NAMI Annual Business Meeting. Proposed amendments to the NAMI Bylaws must be submitted in amendment form, with the full text of the relevant bylaws section(s) including any strikeouts or additions. For guidance on making submissions, please contact us at voting@nami.org.

Who Votes in NAMI Elections

NAMI Affiliates in good standing (those embracing the NAMI mission, having at least five members with fully paid dues) and NAMI State Organizations may vote through an online voting system.

NAMI State Organizations each get one vote in NAMI elections. NAMI Affiliates have “weighted votes” based on the number of members in the group as of 70 days prior to the election. The more members a NAMI Affiliate has, the more votes you get, ranging from one vote for groups of five to 50 active memberships, to 10 votes for groups of 800 or more.

Individuals do not vote in NAMI’s national elections, but all NAMI members have an opportunity to participate in the election process by helping to decide how their NAMI Affiliate or NAMI State Organization will cast its vote. Contact your NAMI Affiliate and NAMI State Organization leaders for more information about how and when they will be deciding to cast their vote. Each NAMI Affiliate and NAMI State Organization chooses someone to serve as their credentialed delegate. That person will cast the ballot on behalf of the group.

Voting Information Distribution

At least 30 days before the Annual Meeting, NAMI organizations eligible to vote in the elections will receive information in order to participate in the election process. This email directs affiliates and state organizations to the NAMI website for details about candidates for the board as well as any bylaws amendments and Board resolutions.

To be sure that your voting information gets to you, please work with Member Services to update your current leadership contacts in NAMI 360.

Members should plan to convene once nominations close to consider who will serve as delegate or proxy for their NAMI State Organization and NAMI Affiliate.

Credentialing to Vote

Ballots cast in NAMI elections are completed by individuals who have been designated as proxies by the leadership of their NAMI Affiliates and NAMI State Organizations. Credentialing allows Affiliates and State Organizations to tell NAMI who the person casting the vote for their group will be. 

Voting in NAMI Elections

NAMI Affiliates and NAMI State Organizations will cast ballots via an online voting system. Details about the process will be provided in the voting information distribution emails sent at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Online voting opens at least 30 days before the Annual Meeting and remains open until one day before the meeting is scheduled to take place. 

All online votes must be cast by the close of elections. The online system is designed to shut down automatically at the end of the voting timeframe, and no votes will be accepted after that time.

Election Results

Election results will be reported at the NAMI Annual Business Meeting. 

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