BVA’s National Bylaws were updated last year to empower every member with a vote in District and National elections, as well as on bylaw changes. This new system replaces the previous method in which delegates at the convention voted on behalf of the entire regional group. The new voting system allows BVA members to vote by mail, internet, or telephonically. Join the National Board of Directors on May 15 for a Town Hall aimed at providing instruction on the new voting system and to address questions.

In the meantime, there are steps you can take to prepare for voting:

1. Whitelist the voting email address: To ensure that you receive important voting information, please send an email to elections@vote-now.com. This will help train your email program to accept messages from this address and prevent them from going to your spam folder. Simply click the email address and your email program should open. You do not need to include a subject or any text in the body of the email, and you will not receive a response. Please complete this step before June 2, 2025.
2. Update your contact information: If you think BVA may not have your current mailing address or phone number, please update your information at https://bva.org/membership or submit them to the BVA Membership Coordinator by email (membership@bva.org) or phone (202-371-8880).

Voting will begin on June 2, 2025. However, you may want to wait until after the Town Hall, which will discuss the candidates, bylaws, and resolutions scheduled to occur June 12. The June 20 Town Hall will include the reading of National Convention rules and standing rules and a meeting of the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee to evaluate each proposed amendment and make voting recommendations to the membership. 

Important Voting Deadlines:

• Mail-in ballots must be received by July 2. Please ensure that you mail them in time to arrive by this date. The ballots will include a pre-addressed envelope, but you will need to add a first-class stamp.
• You will receive regular email reminders until you have cast your vote.
• If you prefer to vote by phone, you can follow the provided instructions or speak with someone who can assist you. Please note that assistance hours will be limited.

Key Town Hall and Voting Dates:

• May 1 and 29: Meet the Candidates Town Hall
• May 15: Voting Instructions Town Hall
• June 5: Question-and-Answer Town Hall on Voting
• June 12: Bylaws and Resolutions Town Hall Discussion and Question-and-Answer Opportunity
• June 20: Reading of Convention Rules and Standing Rules, and Meeting of Bylaws and Resolutions Committee.
• July 2: Mail-in Ballots Deadline
• July 9: End of Voting, 3:00pm Eastern Time
• July 11: Results Announced by the National President at In-Person Convention