Ballots must be submitted by September 10th

The Estonian American National Council (EANC) is excited to announce that Estonian Americans now have the option of voting online for their representatives to the Council in this year’s election. Voting via traditional ballot or e-ballot is open through September 10, 2022.

Registration closes on September 5th. For questions please contact Executive Director Leelo Linask at (978) 397 0020, [email protected], or the Election Commissioners, Ly Karm and Maria Pedak-Kari, [email protected].

The commissioners encourage all eligible Estonians in the US to vote and to spread the word: „Considering the state of the world today, I’d say EANC is more important for us and for Estonia than ever before. I encourage each eligible Estonian to vote in the EANC election this year, be it by paper ballot or online,“ stated Election Committee Co-Chair Maria Pedak-Kari. „It is also a good time to invite your adult children, family members, and Estonian friends to do the same. In doing so, you are supporting the future of the Republic of Estonia as well as your own Estonian cultural heritage and community here in the USA.“

Now in its seventh decade of service to Estonians in the U.S., the Council promotes, preserves and fosters Estonian cultural heritage, community, interests and traditions in the US. With the addition of an online voting component to the election process, the Council hopes to expand the reach of its message and service. In selecting the online platform, the E-voting Committee of the Council sought a service provider that would assure accuracy, fairness, and simplicity of use.

Voter registration is open at www.estosite.org/elections through September 5th. Traditional ballots along with instructions and candidate bios have been mailed to the EANC mailing list as well as to those who registered specifically to participate in this election. All votes must be cast by 11:59 pm (Pacific) on September 10th. Candidate bios are available on our website at www.estosite.org and in the June 14th issue of the Estonian American newsweekly Free Estonian Word (Vaba Eesti Sõna).

„Estonian-Americans continue to have a strong voice in Washington, in large part because of the work of both the EANC and JBANC,“ emphasized Election Committee Co-Chair Lya Karm. Since the EANC mission includes all aspects of Estonian interests in the U.S., it is up to all eligible voters to make their voices heard by participating and casting their votes.

EANC’s activities include providing support to local Estonian communities; disseminating information; working with and supporting organizations having similar goals to those of EANC; maintaining informational contacts with U.S. and Estonian government entities; sponsoring events, films and projects, and following developments that affect the well-being of the democracy and security of Estonia. 

EANC president Marju Rink-Abel notes that both volunteer as well as voter activity are important. „We are proud of the work done by our nationally-elected volunteer council, and by our Estonian community as a whole.  We hope that all Estonian Americans share in our commitment and join in electing the next council body, which will convene in November 2022.“

Leelo Linask
EANC Executive Director