Council Election: Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated June 2025
What is the Council?
The WGAE Council is the governing body of the WGAE consisting of 20 Council members: twelve (12) Film/TV/Streaming Council members, five (5) Online Media Council members and three (3) Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News Council members), plus five (5) officers: President, Secretary-Treasurer and three (3) Vice-Presidents, one from each work sector.
What are the different work sectors?
Film/TV/Streaming members work in screen, television, podcasts and new media; Online Media members work in digital-first news shops; Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News members work in traditional broadcast and cable news shops and newer streaming shops, all in positions under the Guild’s jurisdiction.
What does the Council do?
- establishment of Guild policy and organizing objectives
- management of funds and property of the Guild
- appointment of Guild Trustees to the Producer-Writers Guild of America Pension Plan
and the Writers Guild-Industry Health Fund - construction and interpretation of the provisions of the Guild’s Constitution and By-Laws the appointment of both standing and ad hoc committees
- hiring of Executive Director
How long is the term of office for Council members and officers?
2 years.
How often does the Council meet?
Monthly, usually on the first Thursday.
How long are the Council meetings?
Typically, meetings run between one and three hours.
How many vacancies are there?
The 2025 WGAE election will include the following open positions: President, Secretary-Treasurer, Film/TV/Streaming Vice President, six (6) Film/TV/Streaming Council seats, and three (3) Online Media Council seats. There are no vacancies in the Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News sector.
Who is eligible to run for Council positions?
Any member in good standing who has been a member of the work sector in which they are running for one year preceding September 18, 2025, the date of this year’s election.
How does one get nominated?
Beginning July 1, 2025, an eblast/mailing to all current members will solicit nominations for Council members (and officers if applicable). Nomination forms will also be available online.
Current members in good standing may nominate others and/or themselves for an open Council or Officer seat by no later than 5:00pm ET on July 21, 2025.
Members from all work sectors are entitled to nominate or self-nominate one (1) candidate for President and one (1) candidate for Secretary-Treasurer.
Members from the Film/TV/Streaming work sector can nominate one (1) candidate for their work sector Vice President and up to six (6) candidates from their work sector for Film/TV/Streaming Council seats.
Members from the Online Media work sector can nominate up to three (3) candidates from their work sector for Online Media Council seats.
There are no open Council seats for the Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News sector this year.
If a member is nominated for a Vice President or Council seat in a work sector to which they do not belong, that nomination will not be valid.
How does voting occur?
Members may vote online or by mail during the voting period. The voting period is September 5, 2025 at 9:00am ET to September 18, 2025 at 5:00pm ET.
Members may vote in-person on September 18, 2025 at 4:30pm ET. An advance RSVP is required to vote in-person. Information about how to RSVP for in-person voting will be circulated to members prior to the voting period.
How can I learn more about the campaign process and rules?
The 2025 WGAE Nominations and Election Policy for Officers and Council Members (PDF) includes comprehensive information about the process and rules, as well as a timeline of important dates and deadlines.
If you have any questions about this or any of the above information, email elections@wgaeast.org.