IEEE-USA President’s Column: The Importance of Elections

Your vote in the IEEE Elections does make a difference. Some IEEE elections have been decided by only a few votes and one of the deciding votes could be yours. In many cases there are real differences in the views, objectives and personalities of various IEEE candidates and this is your opportunity to help select who will lead our professional organization in the next few years. Just like in national and local political elections, your vote matters.

IEEE Elections started on 15 August and will continue until 1 October 2019. There are candidates for many positions, including IEEE President-elect, IEEE-USA President-elect and for both geographic as well as technical activities representation. In addition, many IEEE technical societies and the IEEE Standards Association are now conducting elections for officers.

Locally, your IEEE Section and Chapters are probably getting ready for their own elections, that will begin in the Fall. The greatest value for many of our members is when they get engaged with other IEEE people. Now is the time to consider whether you would like to help lead some part of IEEE and develop your own leadership skills, meet more IEEE volunteers and help us keep our professional home vibrant and cool and take IEEE into the future. Consider putting your name in for a local IEEE office, or for some part of the larger IEEE organization.

I know that I have gained much from my experiences as an IEEE volunteer leader. I have been involved in local technical chapters and my sections, IEEE societies, IEEE Sections Congress, IEEE Standards, MGA and IEEE-USA, as well as leading and being a member of several IEEE committees over the years. It has been a wonderful experience and has given me many chances to meet and work with great IEEE volunteers. I hope that I have been able to energize IEEE activities in the offices I have had the honor to fill, for that was my intent. Perhaps you will consider volunteering some of your time to run for and trying out IEEE leadership positions. It can be very rewarding.

Following is more information on the 2019 IEEE higher office elections (many of these people will sit on the IEEE Board of Directors): Information about the candidates and access to your ballot is available electronically on the IEEE Annual Election Site at www.ieee.org/elections. You will need your IEEE Account (username and password) to authenticate access. If you requested a paper ballot, it has been mailed to you, should you prefer to return your ballot via postal mail. Completed ballots will be accepted until 12:00 pm Eastern Time (16:00 UTC) on 1 October 2019.

When accessing your ballot electronically, you may save your choices at any point by clicking “Logout” and return later to cast your vote. For your vote to count, be sure to click the “Submit Ballot” button on the ballot summary page. After your ballot is submitted, you will receive an email confirmation. Once you have submitted your ballot, please take a minute to complete the online feedback form and let us know about your voting experience. If you have any questions, contact DirectVote support or call +1 952 974 2339.

Thanks for your attention and remember to vote in 2019 IEEE Elections!

Tom Coughlin
IEEE-USA President, 2019