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Governing Documents

*The following documents govern and guide APSA activities, management, and operations.*

The By-Laws of the American Political Science Association
The by-laws organize the leadership and management structure of APSA.

Election Rules
The election of APSA Council members and officers occurs via electronic ballot over the summer. In accordance with the bylaws, the Nominating Committee prepares a slate of nominees. Candidates by petition are also accepted and must be submitted at least 60 days before the election. Candidates by petition for APSA elections must fill out the Official Nomination Form with the signature of at least fifty members. Candidates must also sign the Official Consent Form in order for their candidacy to be valid. More information about APSA elections is available here.

Annual Meeting Siting Policy
In siting its meetings and conferences, particularly the Annual Meeting, APSA strives to ensure that meeting locations are accessible and welcoming to all APSA members.

Rules for the Annual Business Meeting
These rules structure APSA's annual business meeting, held each year at the Annual Meeting. More information about the APSA Annual Business Meeting is available here.

Rules for Resolutions and Amendments
Resolutions and amendments to the APSA bylaws may put before the members for a vote by the Council or by petition from the membership. These rules govern the proposal of and balloting for resolutions and amendments.

Record Dates
These indicate the dates for determining membership status and voting eligibility for APSA elections and meetings. Membership numbers and quorums for these events are also determined as of these record dates.

Whistleblower Policy
APSA is committed to providing honest and high standards of business and personal ethics. If a member, officer, or employee is concerned about misuse of APSA resources or property, they should contact the executive director or the audit committee chair.

Conflict of Interest Policy
APSA members, officers, and employees should act at all times in the best interests of APSA, and avoid actual, potential, or apparent conflict of interest. If a conflict should arise, the person should contact the executive director or the president.

Anti-Harassment Policy
The APSA annual meeting is convened for the purposes of professional development and scholarly and educational interchange in the spirit of free inquiry and free expression. Harassment of colleagues, students, or other conference participants undermines the principle of equity at the heart of these professional fora and is inconsistent with the principles of free inquiry and free expression. APSA's procedures for addressing violations of the anti-harassment policy are available here. For the APSA Annual Meeting, there will also be an ombuds available to consult with meeting attendees who believe that they have experienced any form of harassment, or have concerns about violations of the sexual harassment provisions of the APSA anti-harassment policy.

Inspection of Records
In accordance with the APSA bylaws, individual members may inspect and copy the records of the Association as provided by this policy.

Board Policies Manual
The APSA Board Policies Manual incorporates the policies above as well as a number of other policies governing APSA's operations. This manual is updated with new or revised policies upon approval by the APSA Council.

APSA Articles of Incorporation
The articles of incorporation are the basis of APSA's legal status as a nonprofit under DC law.