Drop Contested Elections

APA is facing serious challenges from outside agencies and internal budgetary pressures. It is absurd to have contested elections in this situation. Such contests, which sometimes have three candidates, for the topmost positions, take up time and foster some dissension among winners and losers and their backers.

The reality is that those running have basically the same agenda with minor differences depending upon their career setting. We all want better health care for psychiatric patients and more support for our clinical, educational, and research endeavors. It makes no sense to fool ourselves that such elections allow the membership to voice their concerns and choices. The low election turnout demonstrates this.

Can't we trust a nominating committee and allow an option for a write-in process for other nominees? We strongly recommend reevaluation of this process to eliminate a wasteful exercise that does little good.