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APA & MeetingsFull Access

APA Announces New Campaigning Rules for Next Two Elections

Published Online:24 May 2021https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2021.6.27

Abstract

The new rules are meant to level the playing field for all candidates for APA office.

Graphic: two women casting their ballot
iStock/Ponomariova_Maria

APA’s Board of Trustees voted at its December 2020 meeting to launch a two-year pilot campaign plan for candidates and their supporters starting with APA’s 2022 election. To level the playing field for all candidates, all campaigning is prohibited except through APA-managed activities and other activities as the APA Elections Committee may permit.

The pilot project is part of the Board’s efforts to ensure that APA’s leadership reflects the diversity of the APA membership and thus includes candidates who are from minority and underrepresented groups. Examining and changing the process were recommended by the APA Presidential Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry.

At the beginning of 2021, the Elections Committee, chaired by Justin Schoen, M.D., outlined the new campaigning rules based on feedback from past candidates and outside organizations. The approved campaign activities are as follows:

  1. Live “Meet the Candidates” webinars will be held during the campaigning period.

    • These one-hour live sessions will be open to all APA members.

    • Sessions will be recorded and posted on the APA election website for viewing by members who are unable to attend.

  2. A “special edition” APA election newsletter of candidates’ platforms will be emailed to all voting members.

  3. Psychiatric News will publish the names and photos of the candidates and election details in its December issue.

  4. The APA election website will be expanded to serve as a centralized location for all election and candidate-related information.

To review the new election guidelines in detail, visit the APA election website. Highlights include the following:

  • Campaign emails, phone calls, and letters to members are not permitted.

  • Use of any and all APA listservs, including the Member-to-Member listserv, for campaigning is not permitted.

  • Endorsement by organizations is not permitted. Candidates may submit a list of individual endorsements to be included as part of their information posted on the APA election website.

  • Sanctions for violations are included in the new guidelines.

The Elections Committee appreciates the cooperation of the membership and outside organizations for a smooth election process in 2022 and 2023. If you have any questions, contact the APA Election Office at [email protected]. ■