Read the NATA Presidential Election FAQ

To keep members informed throughout the 2026 NATA presidential election process, the NATA Presidential Election Oversight Task Force has created the following FAQ. The Rules of Engagement for NATA Entities is included in this FAQ. More questions will be answered as they come up, so be sure to stay tuned to NATA Now and the Presidential Election webpage. You can also email NATA your election-related questions. 

Who oversees the 2026 NATA presidential election process?

Oversight of the NATA presidential election process is a collaborative effort between the NATA Presidential Election Oversight Task Force, NATA Executive Department and NATA staff. The task force includes current and former NATA district directors, a former NATA past president and an NATA committee chair. Prior to the official start of an election cycle, the task force is formed and collaboration begins to review the different facets of the election process with a focus on fairness, consistency and enhanced member engagement. The group then evaluates these elements throughout the election and reports back to the NATA Board of Directors about any changes it recommends to improve future elections. 

How did the recently approved updates to the NATA Bylaws change the overall presidential election process?

As outlined on NATA Now, the updates to the NATA Bylaws, which were approved by the NATA Board of Directors in August, expanded who was eligible to run for president of the association. Previously, to run for president, “each candidate must be a Certified Member and must be a sitting director or immediate past director.” Now, the bylaws state that a candidate must be a Certified Member or Certified-Retired Member. They must also be a current or past NATA director; or a current or past NATA committee or council chair who served under the current or immediate past president.

In addition to the updated bylaw, the NATA Presidential Election Policies and Procedures document was updated, further outlining eligibility requirements of the position. To be eligible, a candidate:

• Must meet the requirements of the NATA Volunteer Agreement
• Must have a minimum of 15 years of membership before declaring candidacy with at least five years of membership immediately prior to declaring candidacy.
• Must have a minimum of six total years of leadership investment before declaring candidacy, which consists of the following:
  • Three years in a NATA leadership position, defined as any of the following:
    • NATA Board of Directors
    • NATA committee or council chair
  • Three years in a district, district association or state athletic training leadership position, defined as any of the following:
    • Elected district, district association or state association officer
    • Appointed district or district association-based only committee chair (position approved by the appropriate governing executive board)
    • Appointed state association committee chair (position approved by the appropriate governing executive board)

How did NATA solicit candidates? 

Prior to the official start of the 2026 election process, an email from NATA was sent out to all potential candidates, including current and past board members and current and immediate past committee/council chairs. This email outlined the new eligibility requirements as well as what to consider before throwing their hat into the ring. 

The election process then officially began Oct. 1, when a second email with the nomination form went out to the group of potentially eligible candidates. The nomination form verified the candidate’s eligibility and collected insight into their leadership experience. When the nomination period ended Oct. 15, NATA had three candidates. These candidates were then vetted by staff and their district leadership before being announced to the NATA membership in November. 

What is the next step in the presidential election process? 

Since there are more than two declared candidates, the NATA Presidential Nominating Committee (PNC) has been activated and will select the final two candidates during the 2026 NATA Joint Committee Meeting in January 2026 in Dallas. Those final two candidates will then be presented to the membership after JCM, and campaigning will begin, with voting taking place in July 2026. 

What is the PNC and how will it narrow down the final two candidates? 

PNC members include the NATA president, current district directors, immediate past district directors and current committee/council chairs, with proxies being appointed as needed.

During JCM, each of the three candidates will have 10 minutes to share their platform and vision for the athletic training profession and NATA. After the presentations, PNC members will rank each individual, with the top two becoming NATA’s presidential candidates.

This PNC presentation is at 8 a.m. CST Jan. 31. More information about the PNC presentation will be shared with the NATA membership as we get closer to JCM. 

How can I get to know the final two candidates better?

Starting in February 2026, NATA will provide numerous opportunities for members to get to know the final two candidates leading up to voting in July 2026. This will include Q&A features in NATA News as well as virtual town halls held over Zoom, during which the candidates will answer questions submitted by members. To learn more about the candidates and the opportunities you have to interact with them, stay tuned to NATA’s communication channels found in the NATA Network. 

How will NATA and the NATA Presidential Election Oversight Task Force ensure fairness and consistency during the campaign process?

NATA and the NATA Presidential Election Procedures Task Force is involved in every step of the election to ensure fairness and consistency. After the final two candidates are selected during JCM, the task force will meet regularly to discuss next steps and any concerns encountered. Some steps NATA and the task force will take to ensure fairness and consistency include: 

• Providing each candidate the exact same space, time and opportunity on NATA’s communication channels.
• Providing all NATA entities with the rules of engagement to follow throughout the election.
• Encouraging each candidate to be mindful of their campaign opportunities outside of NATA. While NATA can’t control groups outside of the association, candidates should be thoughtful of the opportunities they accept and be considerate of their fellow candidate. 

When will voting take place? 

Voting will be held throughout July 2026. Members will have the opportunity to hear from the final two candidates in person during Face Time ’26, which will take place July 1, 2026, during the 77th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Philadelphia. After Face Time ’26, an email will be sent to all members opening the virtual voting booth. Voting will close July 30, 2026. The new president-elect will be announced in August 2026. 

If I have any other questions or input regarding this year’s election process, who do I contact?

NATA has created an email address for election-related questions and suggestions.