As a member of the American Angus Association, you have a voice within the organization as being able to vote for any bylaw changes brought to the Convention of Delegates to act on, and ultimately, the Board of Directors you wish to represent your operation on the governance of the Association. However, you must follow the qualifications set forth by the membership that is referenced in the Breeder’s Reference Guide to become an eligible voting member.

The Election of Delegates portion of the Breeder’s Reference Guide is under Bylaws Article III Convention of Delegates, Section 3.1-3.14. This is available for reference at angus.org.

The Breeder’s Reference Guide outlines the determination of the number of delegates for each district. This is based on memberships and registration numbers within your district. A very important part of the election process is to make sure you are an eligible voting member during the eligibility period from April 20, 2025, until April 19, 2026. Refer to Section 3.6 of the Breeder’s Reference Guide, Determination of Eligible Voting Members:

In order to be eligible to (1) receive and submit a nomination form, (2) receive and submit a ballot to vote for the delegates, and (3) be nominated and elected to serve as a delegate, each of the following criteria must be met: 

(a) The individual must be (or be associated with) an Active Regular or Active Life Member when the nomination period begins; 

(b) The member or individual acting on behalf of the member must be 18 years of age when the nomination period begins; and 

(c) The member must have done one of the following during the preceding 12 months from when the nomination period begins: 

(i) conducted a threshold dollar amount of business (excluding membership fees) with AAA and/or AGI, such threshold dollar amount to be set by the Board of Directors in its discretion from time to time; or 

(ii) registered at least one animal. 

(d) Be current with all financial obligations to the American Angus Association and all of its subsidiaries when the nominating period begins. (As adopted on November 4, 2019) 

If the member meets these criteria, then the member will be considered an “Eligible Voting Member” and be able to participate in the election process. (As adopted on November 5, 2015)

You can see if you are considered an Eligible Voting Member in your Login account under My AAA Member Information.

After the eligibility period ends, the nomination of delegates begins. This will be in the form of an email with a unique PIN. If you do not have an email associated with your account, a nomination form will be mailed. You can also request a paper nomination form to be mailed to your address on account. The nomination period begins April 20, 2026, and closes June 19, 2026, at 4:30 CDT.

The next process of the election is the voting of delegates. The voting of delegates will start July 17 and end at 4:30 CDT Aug. 18, 2026. We will discuss this process in future “Membership Tips” articles.  

Please plan on joining the Annual Convention of Delegates in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 16. The Annual Convention of Delegates is more than an election. It is a great way to network with Angus breeders from coast to coast, along with several educational opportunities as well.

Editor’s note: For more information, please contact the Association Member Services Department at 816-383-5100 or email llanders@angus.org.