Get Ready for ARIN Elections

By Joe Westover – Senior Director of Customer Experience and Strategy

Casting a vote in ARIN’s annual elections is a core responsibility of our General Member organizations, helping shape ARIN’s governance and the development of Internet number resource policy. As we prepare to open the polls in the 2026 ARIN Elections, we encourage you to take some time to create a voting plan and learn about this year’s candidates running for the ARIN Board of Trustees and Advisory Council (AC).

Here are five easy steps you can take to get ready for when voting opens at 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, 22 October.

1. Get to Know the Candidates

First and foremost, get to know your candidates! The 2026 elections will fill three seats on the Board and five seats on the AC. This year, following the process schedule, the ARIN Board of Trustees will appoint a nominee to the open seat on the Number Resource Organization Number Council.

The Nomination Committee has put forward the 2026 Slate of Candidates for the terms beginning 1 January 2027.

We created a Voter Guide to provide you with all the details you need to know about the candidates. The guide includes information from each candidate about their job experience, education, related experience, views on the future of ARIN, and much more.

All candidates were evaluated by an independent assessment firm based on the Nominee Assessment Guidelines in the Election Process document. When viewing the slate of candidates for the Board, the classification that you see next to their names will also appear on the ballot. These classifications were based in part on the Guidance Letter submitted by the Board that describes desired relevant experience and backgrounds for candidates.

2. Read or Make Statements of Support

After familiarizing yourself with the candidates, take time to reflect on the issues that are most important to you, your organization, and your community and to identify the candidates you believe will best address those concerns. Then it’s time to read and/or make statements of support. This is a great way to support your candidate(s) of choice and learn about what others in the community are saying.

Please note that all Statements of Support are held for moderation and will be posted, upon approval, within one business day. All submissions are subject to the Statements of Support Acceptable Use Policy.

3. Attend the Virtual Candidate Forum

On Thursday, 8 October, at 2:00 PM ET, ARIN General Counsel Michael Abejuela will moderate a virtual forum for the Board of Trustees candidates. Tune in to watch the candidates answer questions about their experience and perspectives.

General Members are encouraged to register to attend the Candidate Forum via Zoom webinar: arin.net/candidateforum. The event will also be livestreamed on ARIN’s YouTube channel.

4. Watch the Candidate Speeches

All Board and Advisory Council candidates have been invited to present themselves to the community via a brief, prerecorded speech. These videos will be published on ARIN’s YouTube channel and the candidates’ Statements of Support pages in mid-October. A brief video introduction of the candidates will also be featured during the ARIN 58 Public Policy and Members Meeting, taking place 22–23 October.

5. Cast Your Vote!

Last but not least, it’s time to plan when, where, and how you’ll cast your ballot.

Remember: Regular voting is required to maintain your organization’s General Member status. Following each year’s ARIN Elections, General Members that did not cast a ballot in any of the last three consecutive elections will revert to Service Member status. These organizations can request General Membership again at any time.

General Member Participation in ARIN Elections

In 2026, designated Voting Contacts may cast ballots on behalf of eligible General Members for the Board and AC. Voting opens at 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, 22 October 2026, and closes at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, 30 October 2026.

Please note that to cast a ballot in ARIN Elections, a General Member must be in good standing (as of 7 September 2026); this includes having an individual with a valid ARIN Online account designated as the Voting Contact for their organization.

After voting eligibility is established, Voting Contacts may be updated or changed until seven days before the elections; this year that deadline is 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, 15 October 2026.

Voting is fast, easy, and can be done online from anywhere, anytime during the voting period. To access and cast your ballot, log in to your ARIN Online account and click on the “Vote Now” link located on your dashboard.

The Voting Instructions page provides walkthroughs with screenshots to help you navigate ARIN’s election system.

Five Steps to Make Your Voice Heard

It’s that simple! These five steps will prepare you to vote in our 2026 elections and have a real say in the future of ARIN and the Internet. Thank you in advance for your participation in this year’s elections. If you have any questions along the way, visit our election headquarters or email elections@arin.net to learn more.

*Organizations may submit a blank ballot. Your participation in the elections will still be recorded, and the organization will maintain General Member status.

Post written by:

Joe Westover
Senior Director of Customer Experience and Strategy

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