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 meet the requirements to be an Eligible Voting Member by April 3, 2025. 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. After completed nomination forms were returned to the Association, ballots were prepared and sent to Eligible Voting Members in each voting district (state or Canada) for a voting period, July 3 – August 4, 2025.  

Paper ballots mailed to the office and received by Aug. 4, were counted on August 5, 2025, by Association staff using a multi-step process which included several checks and balances to ensure the process follows the guidelines set out in the Breeder’s Reference Guide. Election observers Bill Bowman from Missouri, and Lori Fink from Kansas, oversaw the process. With the potential for a large number of ballots, Brandon New from Kansas, who served as an observer in 2024, was also asked to participate.  

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:   

• 2,372 ballots were received.   
• 2,315 ballots were eligible to be counted.  
• 1,350 ballots were electronically submitted, 58% of total eligible ballots.  
• 15.5% increase in total eligible ballots submitted compared to 2024.   
• 293 delegates and 244 alternates were elected from 43 states and Canada. 

All members are welcome to attend the annual business meeting. Members not attending convention can attend the meeting at no cost.