Your Vote Shapes the Internet: Why General Membership Matters in 2026

By Joe Westover – Senior Director of Customer Experience and Strategy

At ARIN, the organizations we serve are more than customers — they are members of the community that manages and maintains a foundational layer of the Internet. Every IP address block and Autonomous System Number in the ARIN region exists within a framework of policy that is shaped not by ARIN staff but by our community, through a transparent, bottom-up process. That process only works when people participate.

The 2026 ARIN Elections are scheduled for 22–30 October. Three seats on the Board of Trustees and five seats on the Advisory Council will be determined by votes cast by General Member organizations. (This year, the NRO Number Council seat is appointed rather than elected.) If your organization holds Internet number resources under an ARIN Agreement, you may already be eligible to become a General Member — and the path to participation is simpler than you might expect.

Here is everything you need to know.

Service Members vs. General Members: Same Services, Different Influence

All organizations with Internet number resources under an ARIN Agreement begin as a Service Member and have the option to request General Member status in ARIN Online. Both Service and General Members have full access to ARIN’s suite of registry services, including routing security tools like Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) and the Internet Routing Registry (IRR).

The difference is governance participation. General Members have chosen to participate in ARIN Elections — the annual process through which the community elects the volunteer leaders who guide ARIN’s strategic direction and policy development. But voting in annual ARIN Elections for the Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, and NRO Number Council is only part of what General Membership unlocks. It also includes:

• Access to the General Members mailing list, designated for ARIN governance discussions
• Public listing as a General Member on ARIN’s website — visible recognition of your organization’s commitment to Internet governance
• Eligibility to serve on the Nomination Committee (NomCom) and other program committees

Service Members who upgrade to General Membership retain access to every service ARIN offers. The added benefit is governance access, along with the opportunity to use it.

Why Your Vote Matters More Than You Might Realize

In a typical ARIN Elections cycle, less than half of General Members cast a ballot. That means a relatively small group of voters helps determine leadership decisions that affect thousands of organizations across the ARIN community.

What you’re voting for matters. The ARIN Board of Trustees provides strategic and fiduciary oversight of the organization. The Advisory Council facilitates and recommends Internet number resource policy changes. The NRO Number Council represents ARIN at the global level, including in the selection of ICANN Board members in seats 9 and 10. These are real governance roles with real influence over how the Internet’s number resources are managed.

By participating in ARIN Elections, General Members:

• Shape the future by determining which community volunteers guide ARIN policy and strategy.
• Foster inclusivity by ensuring diverse perspectives are represented in Internet governance.
• Protect a global resource by contributing to a secure, stable, and accessible Internet for all.

One Request. A Stronger Voice in ARIN Governance.

Check your status in your ARIN Online account. If your organization is a Service Member and eligible for General Membership, the entire process happens there:

1. Under ‘Your Records,’ select ‘Organization Identifiers.’
2. Select the Org Handle for which you want to request General Membership.
3. On the Organization Record page, select ‘Request General Membership’ from the Actions drop-down menu.
4. Upon approval, set up a Voting Contact who will be responsible for casting a ballot on behalf of your organization.

To be eligible to vote in the 2026 Elections, organizations must establish General Member status, be in Good Standing (have no outstanding annual invoices), and designate a valid Voting Contact by 7 September 2026. We encourage eligible organizations to act well before that date.

Your Voting Contact must have a valid ARIN Online account and can be designated by either an Admin or a Tech Point of Contact. The Voting Contact will not be recognized in Whois/RDAP.

To view or designate a Voting Contact, select ‘Organization Identifiers’ under ‘Your Records’ in the ARIN Online navigation menu, then select the Org Handle associated with your ARIN Online account.

All General Members should verify their Voting Contacts are current prior to elections. The 2026 cut-off date for Voting Contact changes is 15 October.

Maintaining General Membership Is Simple

General Members maintain their status by participating in ARIN Elections at least once every three years. ARIN makes this easy: Submitting a ballot, even a blank ballot, counts as participation. This helps ensure General Member records stay current while keeping the process accessible for organizations.

Organizations that have not cast a ballot in any of the previous three elections are reclassified as Service Members and may reapply for General Member status at any time. If your organization was previously a General Member and is now a Service Member, check your eligibility and request reinstatement through ARIN Online.

Holding Internet number resources gives your organization a stake in the policies that shape how those resources are allocated, transferred, and managed. Service Members and General Members alike can participate in ARIN’s open, community-driven policy process. General Membership adds voting rights and governance-specific opportunities, giving eligible organizations another meaningful way to have a voice.

What’s Ahead in the 2026 Election Cycle

• 8-22 June — Nominations open (Any individual may self-nominate for the Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, or NRO NC.)
• 7 September — General Member voter eligibility deadline
• 8 September — Initial Candidate Slate announced; Statements of Support open
• 7 October — Final Candidate Slate announced
• 15 October — Deadline to update Voting Contacts
• 22 October — Voting opens at ARIN 58 for the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council
• 30 October — Voting closes
• 6 November — Results announced

Get Involved

Whether you are a seasoned General Member or exploring membership for the first time, now is the time to engage. Review your organization’s membership status in ARIN Online, request General Membership if eligible, and designate your Voting Contact. For questions about General Membership, contact member-support@arin.net. For election details, visit arin.net/elections.

Your participation matters — and together, we can continue to strengthen the foundation of the Internet on which we all depend.

Follow us on social media and sign up for the ARIN Blog mailing list to receive ARIN Elections alerts and updates so you never miss an opportunity to participate.

Post written by:

Joe Westover
Senior Director of Customer Experience and Strategy

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