The Estonian American National Council (EANC / Eesti Rahvuskomitee Ühendriikides, ERKÜ) announces the appointment of the co-chairs and members of its Election Committee to administer the XXIV Council Elections taking place in 2026. The committee will oversee all aspects of the election process, including candidate verification, ballot administration, and the supervision and certification of vote counting.

The Election Committee will be led by Co-Chairs Lya Karm and Maria Pedak-Kari, who will jointly guide the election process and ensure that all procedures are conducted in accordance with the election rules as set out in the EANC Constitution and Bylaws and established practice. Both previously served as co-chairs of the Election Committee during the last Council election (2022) and bring many years of experience as active members and leaders in the Estonian-American community across the United States. The co-chairs were appointed by a vote of the full Council, and the Election Committee serves independently of the current Council. The Election Committee also includes members Tiiu Kera and Kersti K. Linask.

“The Council election is an important opportunity for Estonian Americans across the United States to participate in the leadership of our national organization,” said EANC Executive Director Leelo Linask. “We are grateful to the Election Committee co-chairs and members for their willingness to serve and for helping ensure a fair, transparent, and well-administered election.”

“We are honored by the confidence placed in us to help oversee this election,” said co-chairs Lya Karm and Maria Pedak-Kari. “Working together with the Election Committee members and in coordination with the EANC Election Team, we are committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and carefully administered election.” The Election Committee encourages all eligible Estonian Americans to participate in this important process for our community.

The upcoming election will determine the members of the XXIV Council of the Estonian American National Council, continuing a longstanding tradition of democratic representation and community leadership among Estonian Americans in the United States. Council members are all volunteers and serve a four-year term. Official election information will be published in the newspaper Vaba Eesti Sõna (print and online) and on the EANC website www.estosite.org

Contacts:
Leelo Linask, EANC Executive Director: erku@estosite.org
Election Committee: eanc2026election@estosite.org
Learn more about EANC and its work, the upcoming election, and more: www.estosite.org