Wikimedia Foundation elections/2022/FAQ

This page aims to answer common questions about the Board of Trustees elections. The sections include general questions about the Board of Trustees and the Board of Trustees elections.

If you have a question you do not see answered on this page, please add your question on the talk page. The team of facilitators supporting the Board election will regularly check the talk page. Please note that some questions might have to be sent to the Elections Committee for response. The facilitators will do their best to communicate anticipated response times.

If this question is urgent or one requiring privacy, you may contact a facilitator directly.

General questions about the Board

What is the Board of Trustees?

The Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees oversees the Wikimedia Foundation's operations. The Board of Trustees is made up of community-and-affiliate trustees and appointed trustees. Each trustee serves a three year term. The Wikimedia community can take part in selecting community trustees.

Who are the trustees on the Board?

The trustees are people from all over the world with a broad spectrum of experiences. Find out more about who is currently on the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees.

How many Trustees will be appointed in this election?

Two trustees will be selected in this election.

What are the qualifications for running for a trustee position?

There are no requirements beyond English proficiency. The Board of Trustees publishes desired skills and criteria each election year. These are not requirements but simply to help the community better understand what the trustees need to be a better performing Board. The Board has shared the desired skills and experiences for the 2022 candidates to bring.

Questions about the Election

Are there requirements to be eligible to vote?

Yes there are. The Elections Committee decides the voting eligibility. The eligibility guidelines are listed on the Community Voting page.

How many times may I vote?

The rule is: one user, one vote. To meet the editor voting eligibility, your contributions will be counted across all wikis, if it’s your home-wiki or any other.

If you decide to change your vote, you may do so. This can be because you have changed your mind or if you have made a mistake. Simply vote again and your previous vote will be struck.

When will the selected trustees be appointed?

The final appointment is expected to happen at the October Board of Trustees meeting.

What is the Elections Committee and why do they decide on the voting method?

The Elections Committee oversees community elections to the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees. The Elections Committee and its predecessors have been around since 2004. The Elections Committee consists of volunteers from the community.

What voting system did the Election Committee decide on?

The Elections Committee chose the Single Transferable Vote method. This voting system allows voters to rank candidates instead of just voting for one candidate. Try this delicious example with desserts. How would you rank your favorite desserts? Maybe like this:

1. Chocolate
2. Cookies
3. Cake

Instead of voting for only chocolate, you can rank your desserts in order of preference. If more people vote for another dessert, your vote may be transferred to another dessert. With Single Transferable Vote, your preferences will be considered even if your top choice candidates are not selected.

I love governance! How can I get more involved in the Board elections?

That’s great! The more community members who are involved in the election, the better the process is. Community members can become a candidate or join the Election Committee. If that’s not for you, another great way to get involved is by participating as an Election Volunteer.

Election Volunteers bridge the gap between the Elections Committee, the facilitation team supporting the Board elections, and the wider community. They enable community members to participate in elections and contribute to shaping the movement.