Board Election

Participation on the ONA Board of Directors is a unique opportunity to guide the world’s largest organization of digital journalists in shaping the future of media and building a stronger industry. Board participation is a chance to grow personally and professionally, and to develop skills, experience and connections with a team of other passionate and motivated professionals.

There are 15 voting members on the ONA Board. Nine seats are open for the 2026-27 board term. Five of the nine seats will be filled through the election process, and four seats will be filled through appointments by the current board.

The board also includes the non-voting role of Immediate Past President, serving for one year following a transition in the President position.

Timeline

From nominations to final results, here are the key dates to elect members to the 2028-27 Board of Directors.

Aug. 14, 2025: Call for Board nominations open
Aug. 27, 2025: Deadline for Board nominations
Sept. 3, 2025: Board candidate slate announced
Sept. 7, 2025: Voter registration deadline. ONA members as of this date are eligible to cast ballots
Sept. 10, 2025: Voting opens
Oct. 2, 2025: Voting closes
Oct. 8, 2025: Election winners announced
November/December 2025: Incoming board member orientation
Jan. 1, 2026: New terms begin

How to run for the board

Two forms must be submitted to complete candidacy for the ONA Board of Directors. The call for nominations to elected seats on the 2026-27 board is open Aug. 14–Aug. 27, 2025.

  1. Ensure you are an active ONA member in good standing. Log in to confirm or renew your membership.
  2. Review the nominee criteria and responsibilities required of board members, and have an understanding of ONA’s mission.
  3. Ask another ONA member to nominate you by Aug. 27 using the nomination form.
    Submit the nomination form
  4. Complete and submit the candidate form by Aug. 27.
    Submit the candidate form

Note: Current board members running for reelection are only required to complete the candidate form and do not need to re-submit a nomination form.

Nominations review

The ONA Governance Committee, led by a former or current board member, screen candidates and present a slate of eligible candidates to the current board for approval. It is the responsibility of the Governance Committee to present a slate that reflects a diversity of interests and expertise in the make-up of the board. The committee recommends candidates who have thoughtfully and thoroughly answered questions in the candidate form and most closely align with the criteria for board membership.

Once a slate is reviewed, the Governance Committee Chair notifies the nominees, and ONA announces the candidates slate to the membership. A page listing nominees is posted on journalists.org, along with their photos, bios and candidate statements submitted during the nomination process.

Voting process (Sept. 10–Oct. 2)

Voting in the 2026-27 ONA Board election is open Sept. 10–Oct. 2, 2025. ONA members active as of Sept. 7, 2025, are eligible to cast ballots.

  1. Review the board candidate profiles. (To be announced Sept. 3)
  2. Beginning Sept. 10, when voting opens, log into the ONA member portal to find your unique election passcode. Your passcode will also be sent to the email address associated with your membership; look for a message from support@journalists.org.
  3. Visit the ONA eBallot system and log in using your passcode to claim your ballot.

Previous elections