The voting process has had a few changes through the years as needed, under the guidance of the elected Board of Directors. The biggest change was 1923-1925, when the proxy vote system was changed to what we have now. 

As an eligible voting member of the American Angus Association, it is your responsibility to provide delegate nominees to not only direct the election of the Board of Directors, but also vote for bylaw changes necessary for the Angus breed to continue to thrive.

By now you would have received your electronic delegate nomination form by email or mail if you did not have an email address on file with the Association. Nominations are due June 7, 2024, by 4:30 CDT. 

We have all experienced the trials and tribulations of the United States Postal Service and the rising cost of services. As a result, the Association implemented the digital option to provide the membership with a faster, more reliable delegate nomination process. The goal is to provide every eligible voting member an opportunity to nominate delegates who will serve their district in the manner they see fit.

The next step will be the voting of delegates to serve each state/district. The process is as follows: 

Following the close of the nomination period, every qualified nominee will be included on a state/district ballot in order of date received. Ballots will be mailed to the eligible voting members in July to vote for the final slate of state/district delegates. For the first time, an online option or hybrid option for delegate voting will be available. Completed ballots must be received by the American Angus Association no later than 4:30 CDT Aug. 6, 2024. 

At the conclusion of the voting period, staff will count ballots alongside two election observers approved by the Board of Directors. The observers serve a two-year term. The delegate list then gets published on our website and a congratulations email is sent for either being a delegate or alternate delegate.

The nomination procedures are set forth in the bylaws of the American Angus Association in Article III Convention of Delegates, Section 3.7 Nomination of Delegates. The bylaws can be found in the Breeder’s Reference Guide in the “Rules and Forms” section. Refer to www.angus.org to access the complete bylaws.

Each year our voting delegation is scheduled to convene at the Annual Meeting, and this year we will be celebrating our 141st Annual Convention of Delegates at the Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 4. The voting delegates are asked to evaluate any proposed amendments to American Angus Association bylaws and elect Association leadership. This is described within the Breeder’s Reference Guide under Article III Section 3.1, which states, “In lieu of meetings of the members, the Association shall have Conventions of Delegates, with such delegates to be chosen in accordance with these Bylaws by a representative of each Active Life Member and Active Regular Member.”

I encourage everyone to attend the Annual Convention of Delegates, even if you were not elected to serve as a delegate. 

The Convention is more than a meeting; it is a great way to meet other members and participate in educational opportunities. The expansive trade show is a way to see the newest and greatest products provided by our industry partners to showcase to members and commercial buyers of Angus genetics. It is also a way of meeting the staff and the Board of Directors to ask questions and provide input for the breed to continue being the largest and most successful breed organization in the world. 

Please visit www.angus.org for more information and registration details. Registration opens July 1