An open call for nominations will be sent via email to all members in good standing and will be posted on the CSTE members-only website approximately five months prior to the CSTE Business Meeting. During the nomination process, an Active Member may complete the online nomination form.   

There are five (5) open positions for the 2026 nomination process, including one (1) President-Elect, one (1) Secretary-Treasurer, and three (3) Member-At-Large. All open positions are three-year terms.  

For the 2026 election, the Executive Board is looking for nominees with the following programmatic expertise (ideal but not limited to): 
• One Health  
• Non-infectious disease  
• Public health data modernization   
• Nominees from large local health departments (e.g., large city/county) 
• Applied epidemiologists who are not serving in State Epidemiologist positions

The CSTE National Office will verify that all nominations are Active Members in good standing. Ineligible nominations are rejected and the nominator will be notified. Eligible nominees must complete the online nomination form including submission of a biography and professional headshot. Completed nominee forms are due from all nominees within fourteen days of notification; any nominee who does not provide the required information by the deadline will be dropped from consideration. All nominations and nominee forms may be shared with current CSTE Executive Board members and the Recruitment Ambassadors of the Governance and Nominating Committee. 

Often, an existing Executive Board member will run for an Executive Officer position. If this candidate is at the end of the term of their existing seat, then that candidate shall surrender that seat. If the existing Board Member is not at the end of their term, at least two nominees shall be sought during the nomination process to run for the seat that may be vacated if the current Board Member wins their election. If the existing Board Member wins the election, then a secondary election will be held to fill the vacated seat. If the existing Board Member loses the election, they shall remain on the Board in their existing seat to complete their term of office.  

The Governance and Nominating Committee will review all completed nominations and nominee forms to determine that all nominees meet the general and Bylaws criteria for a member of the Executive Board. Examples of these key factors considered include: 

• Experience in the field of applied public health epidemiology 
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills 
• Understanding of governance; experience on a non-profit board preferred 
• Past involvement with CSTE 
• Substantive track of leadership within CSTE (e.g., chair of subcommittee or steering committee)
• Ability to commit to duties and travels of CSTE Executive Board membership 

The CSTE National Office will send the slate of candidates via email to all Active Members in good standing no later than 60 calendar days prior to the CSTE Business Meeting. The candidate list, biographical information and photographs will be posted to the CSTE members-only website. 

To vote in elections, an Active Member must be in good standing no later than 3 days prior to the election opening. Active Members not in good standing will not be eligible to vote. Elections will open approximately 45 calendar days prior to the CSTE Business Meeting. All votes must be cast and confirmed within 14 calendar days of opening elections. The election system instructions will explain the mechanics of the online voting process, including write-in candidates, and will be sent via email to all Active Members.

If two candidates are running for an open position, then a majority of the votes cast shall be required to elect members of the Executive Board. When more than two candidates are running for an open position, then ranked choice voting shall be used.

Any Active Member may write-in a candidate during the electronic elections. Electronic ballots will provide a line for write-in candidates. Write-in candidates must be eligible to run for office pursuant to the criteria above.

Starting in 2026, there will be two distinct voting periods. The first voting period will be for open Executive Officer positions. Following the conclusion of the Officer Voting Period, the Member-at-Large Voting Period will open and will include secondary elections (if needed). Running open positions in two voting periods allows nominees not elected to officer positions to consider running for a Member-at-Large position in the second voting period. 

The Secretary-Treasurer and two appointed Active Member Tellers will tally the votes to determine the winners. Tellers should not be running for an open Board position. The National Office will provide these individuals with a copy of the voting log and for each to provide an independent tally and declare the winner(s). If the three results are identical, the Secretary-Treasurer will report the findings to the President and verify that the election process was upheld. Election results will be shared electronically with CSTE members.