How are delegates elected?

Delegate candidates were nominated this spring through a process outlined in the Breeder’s Reference Guide. To be eligible to vote, nominate or be nominated this year, members needed to be active life or regular members and have met the requirements to be an Eligible Voting Member by April 17, 2026. During the nomination period, nominations can be made by any Eligible Voting Member whose farm or ranch is located in the same herd state as the nominee. Following the close of nominations, ballots are prepared and sent to Eligible Voting Members in each voting district (state or Canada). This year’s voting period was July 17 – August 18.  

Paper ballots mailed to the office and received by Aug. 18, were counted on August 19, 2026, by Association staff using a multi-step process which includes several checks and balances to ensure the process followed the guidelines set out in the Breeder’s Reference Guide. Election observers and Association members Lori Fink of Kansas and Jake Tiedeman of Nebraska oversaw the process.  

Online ballots were tabulated by the online voting platform, YesElections. Mailed-in and online votes were then totaled together, and the results were audited to ensure accuracy of the count and the eligibility of any delegates who were elected through the write-in process.  

 As a part of the process:   

• 2,225 ballots were received.    
• 2,169 ballots were eligible to be counted.   
• 1,178 ballots were electronically submitted, 54.3% of total eligible ballots.   
• 301 delegates and 247 alternates were elected from 44 states, Canada and Washington D.C. 

All members are welcome to attend the annual business meeting. Members not attending convention can attend the meeting at no cost, but are asked to register for planning purposes.