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Voting Process
Your SOA, Your Vote
Voting for changes to the SOA Bylaws took place October 13–24. 2025. Thank you to all eligible FSAs who participated to help shape the future of SOA governance. The proposed changes to the SOA Bylaws were presented as a single, interconnected package designed to strengthen and modernize the SOA’s governance structure. For example, creating a more representative Board requires an objective and transparent candidate evaluation process that aligns Board needs with candidate skills and experiences. The results of the vote are now available, along with details on what they mean for the future of SOA governance.
Voting Process
A notice of the election went out to all eligible FSAs on September 10, 2025. The SOA used the same process as in Board elections. Eligible FSAs received an electronic ballot via email from an independent vendor, and they were asked to vote for or against the Bylaws changes. Passage required two-thirds of voters or at least 10% of eligible Fellows to vote for the SOA Bylaws changes, whichever was greater. Voting was confidential and anonymous, and votes were counted by an independent vendor.
Results
Certified results became available several days after the close of the voting period. The voting results were sent to a team of SOA leaders for review and verification. Members learned about the results via an email announcement and other SOA communications, including the SOA website and social media.
FSAs voted on all changes to the SOA Bylaws that affected their substantive rights. The changes that required approval included:
- Changing the Board size
- Separating the role of President and Chair
- Making ASAs who have been members for five or more years eligible to sit on the Board (limit of two)
- Making ASAs who have been members for five years or more eligible to vote for Bylaws amendments
- Adding non-actuaries to the Board (limit of two)
- Setting a minimum of two seats for members outside the U.S. and Canada
- Changing the number of nominated candidates for a regular Board seat to one
- Changing the member voting process for before regular Board seat to a “for/against” vote
Some of the changes, such as the creation of a Member Leadership Advisory Council and International liaison role as well as the shift from the Nominating Committee to the Board Recruiting and Selection Committee, did not require member approval.
Eligible FSAs received an email notice on September 10 from an independent vendor regarding the SOA Bylaws vote, which included the red-lined SOA Bylaws, effective dates, and details about the voting period from October 13 to 24.
The SOA Board recommended that Fellows vote YES on the proposed SOA Bylaws amendments.
No. ASAs who have been members for five years or more did not have the authority to vote on the Bylaws amendments.
All Board members elected in 2025, including the President-Elect, will complete their full terms. Changes such as the reduction in Board size will be phased in over time, ensuring stability and continuity.
There will be several phases of implementation:
- October 13-24, 2025: Members will vote on Bylaws changes.
- 2026 Election Cycle: The Member Leadership Advisory Council will be created, and there will be expanded Board eligibility. Starting with the call for nominations, the updated candidate evaluation process, and “for/against” voting will be incorporated, along with the International Liaison role.
- 2027: The Board will select a Chair for the first time, separating the roles of President and Chair, as recommended.
No. The timing of the Board elections will not change.
The vote was for the entire package of changes. The changes were designed to work together as a cohesive whole. Enacting some changes and not others would not have effectively addressed the governance challenges or met the goals of the Task Force.
An affirmative vote from two-thirds of the Fellows who voted for the SOA Bylaws change, or at least 10% of all SOA Fellows, whichever was greater, was required for the changes to be approved. For example, as of September 2025, there were 20,809 FSAs. Therefore, in order for the SOA Bylaws amendment to pass, an affirmative vote was needed from two-thirds of the Fellows who voted, or 10% of all Fellows, which was 2,081.
The SOA Board recommended that Fellows vote YES on the proposed SOA Bylaws amendments.
The Board wanted members to fully understand how the SOA Bylaws changes fit into a larger plan to improve Board governance.
The SOA Board will review the results and the member feedback carefully, while continuing to find ways to move the SOA and the actuarial profession forward.