# AlmaLinux OS Foundation election processes and board terms
# Context for the process below
The AlmaLinux OS Foundation is managed by a Member-elected Board of Directors that is the ultimate authority responsible for the organization. The Board's responsibilities include oversight of the organization, including its operations, staff, and budget. This includes setting strategic direction and defining goals in line with the mission, as well as satisfying financial and other regulations.
As a true corporate board, board members must agree to, and comply with, the AlmaLinux OS Foundation's conflict of interest policy and Board of Directors Operations and Code of Ethics (opens new window), and all directors are expected to participate in scheduled Board meetings, any special meetings that may arise, and in the ongoing discussions related to the Foundation.
Elections for Board members are conducted by a Board-appointed and independent Election Committee. The Election Committee will appoint a chair, who has ultimate authority in the event of any dispute concerning the election.
# AlmaLinux OS Foundation — Election Processes
v2.0 — Adopted by the board of directors April 14, 2026
# What this document covers
This document describes how we run Board of Director elections at the AlmaLinux OS Foundation — the timelines, the mechanics, and the roles involved. The rules governing eligibility, term limits, voting weights, and board composition live in the Foundation Bylaws. If anything here conflicts with the bylaws, the bylaws win.
# How the board is structured
The Board is divided into four cohorts (A, B, C, and D), each serving four-year terms. One cohort's seats come up for election each year, in the order A → B → C → D, then repeating. This means there's an election every year, but only a portion of the board is up for election at any given time — which helps maintain continuity and institutional knowledge.
The specific cohort assignments for current and future directors are maintained by the Board and recorded in Board meeting minutes.
# Election schedule and timeline
Each annual election follows this general timeline:
- 45 days before the election opens: Election announced, nominations open
- 10 days before the election opens: Nominations close; final nominee list approved and published
- Election period: No less than 14 days
- Results: Announced promptly after the election closes and results are verified
Elections are conducted online. All eligible voters will receive an email with instructions, a link to the voting platform, and information about each candidate. We use a preference-based voting method (such as ranked choice voting) as specified in the bylaws.
# The Election Committee
Each election is run by an Election Committee appointed by the Board. The committee is made up of Foundation members in good standing who will appoint a chair at their first meeting. Anyone serving on the Election Committee is not eligible to be nominated in that same election.
The Election Committee is responsible for:
- Reviewing, confirming eligibility, and approving nominations
- Publishing the candidate list
- Certifying the results
- Resolving any disputes that arise during the process
# Nominations
To be nominated, a candidate must:
- Be a Foundation member in good standing (meaning: a member for at least 60 days, current on any dues, in compliance with the conflict of interest policy and code of conduct, and not under any restriction or sanction by the Board)
- Be nominated by another Foundation member in good standing — members cannot nominate themselves
The nomination process will be outlined in the election announcement, but generally should include the nominee's name, contact information, and a brief description of why they'd be a good fit for the board. After submission, the Election Committee will review the nomination and notify the nominee of their status. Nominees must confirm their interest before their name appears on the ballot.
# Voting
All Foundation members in good standing as of the voter eligibility cutoff date (announced with each election) are eligible to vote. Voting weights by membership type are defined in the bylaws and reflected in the Membership Levels and Benefits (opens new window).
Voting is done online through a platform chosen by the Election Committee. Every eligible voter will receive an email with instructions when the election opens.
# Questions?
If you have questions about an election, the best place to ask is in the ~foundation channel on chat.almalinux.org (opens new window), or by emailing elections@almalinux.org.