SAG-AFTRA Elections: how it all works.
official 2021 election guide, nominations and election policy, and candidate instructions
SAG-AFTRA holds local and national elections every two years, where all leadership positions are up for election, with the exception of some 4-year term national board seats.
Here’s how it works, using the 2021 National, LA & NY Election Calendar as an example. Future election dates may vary.
JUNE 1st
Nominating Petitions for members to declare their candidacy become available online. Based on your Local’s Constitution, you need a certain number of electronic or hand signatures in order to be on the final voting ballot.
JULY 1st
Petitions and other required materials such as photos and candidate statements are due.
JULY 6th
Members must be paid-up and in good standing for the previous two dues periods in order to be eligible to vote.
AUGUST 3rd
Ballots sent out.
SEPTEMBER 2nd
Voting deadline. Ballots must be in by 6:30am PT / 9:30 am ET in designated election P.O. Box.
Voting deadlines vary by Local. Candidates who face no opposition win by default.
OCTOBER 16th-18th
Convention held where the Executive Vice President and the 7 National Vice Presidents are elected, and resolutions are submitted, reviewed, filtered by legal and the CARC, and voted on by delegates.
CAMPAIGN LITERATURE
At their own expense, candidates may send campaign emails or mailed literature to all, any Local, or any custom group of members. These services are handled by third-party for-profit companies iContact for emails and West Coast Mailers (LA) & Century Direct (NY) for mailed literature.
Here are the costs of sending campaign emails in 2021: EXHIBIT B
SAG-AFTRA puts out a Voter Guide with the candidates on the ballots, their photos, and 100-word statements. Convention Delegate candidates do not get photos or statements in the Voter Guide.