EANC XXIV Council Elections, 2026
Call for Candidates
We hereby announce the upcoming election for EANC’s XXIV Council. If you are an Estonian American interested in sharing your experience, representing your fellow Estonian Americans, and making a meaningful impact, consider a run for the Estonian American National Council (Eesti Rahvuskomitee Ühendriikides, ERKÜ).
Council members are elected for a four-year term. Council size may vary from 20 – 50 members, depending on the number of candidates. The Council meets at least once a year, usually in Fall, to review past activities and to vote on the upcoming year’s budget and activity plan. Council members are invited to serve on a number of committees or initiatives during their term.
The Council’s mission is to help preserve, support, and promote Estonian cultural heritage; to foster ties with and to represent the interests of Estonian Americans and their organizations; and to stand for Estonian American interests and those of a democratic and free Estonia.
Eligible candidates must be Estonian by descent, or a family member of such an individual, or a resident member of the Estonian American community through family relations. Eligible candidates must be legal residents of the United States and must be at least 21 years old.
Application forms, instructions and further information can be obtained here ; from the Election Committee co-chairs Lya Karm and Maria Pedak-Kari (EANC2026election@estosite.org), or by writing to EANC at erku@estosite.org.
Completed applications must be submitted no later than April 23, 2026.
The voting period will be announced along with the final list of candidates in the newspaper Vaba Eesti Sõna (print and online) and on the EANC website.
Ballots will be sent to all physical and email addresses in the EANC database. If you currently receive the Teataja newsletter, you should receive a ballot. An e-voting option will also be offered. All Estonians living in the United States are encouraged to update their information via the newsletter/mailing list registration link at www.estosite.org/teataja-sign-up. Please be sure to inform EANC of any address or name changes ASAP: erku@estosite.org tel 1 (978) 397-0020.
Election Committee Co-Chairs
Lya Karm and Maria Pedak Kari
Submit Your Candidacy
Joining the Council is a meaningful opportunity for Estonian Americans across the United States to participate in the leadership of our national organization. Help strengthen the future of the Estonian-American community and make an impact!
Download the EANC’s XXIV Council candidate application (.pdf) to get started. Make an impact and help strengthen the future of our community!
Application deadline: April 23, 2026
Voting Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Estonian by descent, or a family member of such an individual, or a resident member of the Estonian American community through family relations
- A legal resident of the United States
- Attest to the above
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Register to Vote
The List of Candidates and the Announcement of Election Dates will be published here and in the Vaba Eesti Sõna newspaper in May.
Upon announcement of the Final List of candidates, ballots will be sent to all addresses in the EANC database. E-voting registration will open soon. If you receive EANC's Teataja newsletter, you should received an e-ballot. Please notify us of any address or name changes: erku@estosite.org, 978-397-0020.
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EANC 2026 Election Committee
Lya Karm and Maria Pedak-Kari (co-chairs), Tiiu Kera, Kersti K. Linask