AOTA 2027 Elections - Frequently Asked Questions

The 2027 AOTA Elections provide an opportunity for members to step forward as leaders, share their expertise, and help shape the direction of the Association and the profession for years to come.

The nomination period for the 2027 AOTA Elections opens on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. ET (just before noon) and closes on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. ET (just before noon).

Important Record Date for 2027 Elections

Be advised that the record date is set in Article IX, Section 4.A.1 of the Bylaws: “The record date for determining members entitled to notice of and to vote in an election shall be 30 days prior to the meeting or action requiring a determination by the members.” Per the AOTA Bylaws, one must be an AOTA member as of January 1, 2027 (30 days prior to the start of the Bylaws vote) to be eligible to vote in the 2027 AOTA Elections starting February 3, 2027.

Eligibility to Vote

Q: Who is eligible to vote in the AOTA 2027 Elections?

A: Eligibility depends on your membership type and the position being elected:

General Election (All members except associate members may vote for):

• President-Elect
• Vice President
• Board Director
• DEIJAB Chairperson
• World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Delegate
• Representative Assembly (RA) members of your designated state (election area affiliate)
• Commission on Practice (COP) Chairperson-Elect
• Commission on Education (COE) Chairperson-Elect

Representative Assembly Leadership (including Speaker, Vice Speaker, Recorder, and Agenda Committee Chairperson):

• Only voting members of the Representative Assembly may vote

Special Interest Section (SIS) Chairpersons:

• Only members of a specific SIS may vote for that SIS's Chairperson
• Your SIS selection must be confirmed by January 1, 2021; changes after that date will not appear on your ballot

Assembly of Student Delegates:

• Only student members may vote

When you enter the voting site, you will see only the ballot(s) for elections for which you are eligible to vote.

Q: Where does it say that you must be a member for at least 30 days prior to being eligible to vote?

A: This requirement is outlined in the AOTA Bylaws, Article IV, § 2.C: "The record date for determining members entitled to notice of and to vote at an annual meeting shall be 30 days prior to the meeting or action requiring a determination by the members."

This means you must be a member as of January 1, 2027, to be eligible to vote in the 2027 elections.

Nonprofit organizations, like local, state, and federal entities, establish deadlines by which one must be registered (a current member) to vote. The record date is used to identify members who are entitled to vote. Utilizing AOTA's "record date" provision protects the integrity of our election process and aligns with our bylaws.

Q: I signed up to join AOTA before the elections. Why can't I vote?

A: To be eligible to vote in the election you must have been a member as of January 1, 2027, and remain a member on the date you cast your vote. If you joined after January 1, 2027, you will not be able to vote in the 2027 elections.

Preparing to Vote

Q: How can I check and update my email address and other profile information?

A: All members who wish to participate in the election should update the following information in their MyAOTA profile no later than January 1, 2027:

• Email address: Update to ensure you receive ballot instructions
• Mailing address: Confirm your address, which will be used for location eligibility in electing RA representatives
• Special Interest Section (SIS) selections: Confirm or update your SIS selection(s) in the "Demographics" section

Q: I cannot remember which Special Interest Sections I am a member of. How can I check this?

A: Log into your MyAOTA profile and check the "Demographics" section, where your Special Interest Section selections are displayed. Remember that any SIS changes must be made by January 1, 2027, to be reflected on your 2027 ballot.

Q: How can I learn more about the candidates?

A: Candidate statements will be posted on the AOTA 2027 Elections webpage and linked to the official ballot for candidates who submit their statements by the published deadline. We encourage you to review these statements, as they provide valuable information about each candidate.

In addition, all candidates have provided contact information, with some including web and social media sites for questions you might have. Some candidates are also participating in the AOTA Elections forum at CommunOT, where you can learn more about their perspectives and ask questions before voting.

Q: There are many candidates. How can I remember who I want to choose?

A: We suggest you print out the Sample Ballot for the 2027 Election and mark your choices before logging into the voting site. This will help you vote efficiently once you're online.

Voting Process

Q: Once I am on the voting site, can I vote in one ballot and return later to vote on another election ballot? For example, can I vote on the General Election ballot today and come back later to vote on the SIS ballot?

A: Yes, but once you review your choices and submit your vote, all races listed on that ballot will be closed for further votes.

If you are eligible to vote in other ballots and have not yet done so, those ballots will continue to be available until you submit your vote or until the election closes.

Important: If you leave the secure voting site before finalizing and submitting your vote on a ballot, the selections you made will not be submitted.

Q: I am interested in voting for some but not all the positions on the ballot. Can I do that?

A: Yes, there is no requirement to vote for a candidate in every position. You must review and confirm your selections at the end of the ballot even if you choose not to vote in every race. You can also select "abstain" for any position. It is your choice whether to participate in voting for each position.

Q: Is a paper ballot available?

A: No, all voting is conducted electronically through the secure online voting site.

Troubleshooting

Q: What do I do if I have a problem voting?

A: Please email governance@aota.org to explain the problem. If possible, provide a screenshot of the issue you're encountering. Include a daytime phone number so we can call you if needed.

Assistance is available during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am ET to 5:00 pm ET.