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APA & MeetingsFull Access

APA’s 2023 Election Cycle Begins

Abstract

APA’s 2023 election is the second of two elections in which new campaigning rules are being piloted.

In December 2020, APA’s Board of Trustees approved a two-year pilot campaign plan for candidates and their supporters for APA’s 2022 and 2023 elections. The goal of the plan is to level the playing field for all candidates by allowing campaigning that is conducted only through APA-managed activities and other activities as the APA Elections Committee may permit. The plan is meant to ensure that APA’s leadership reflects the diversity of the APA membership and thus includes candidates who are from minority and underrepresented groups.

The pilot plan was recommended by the APA Presidential Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry, appointed by then President Jeffrey Geller, M.D., M.P.H. At the conclusion of the 2023 election, it will be evaluated by the Board of Trustees and Elections Committee.

Approved campaigning activities include the following:

  • Virtual Meet-the-Candidate Town Halls 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.

  • A Special Edition APA Election Newsletter of candidates’ platforms will be emailed to all voting members.

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

  • The APA election website has been 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 for a smooth election process in 2023. If you have any questions, contact the APA Election Office at [email protected]. ■