The EANC Election Committee announces that a total of 451 voters participated in the 2026 elections Estonian American National Council elections. Of these, 316 voted by mail and 135 cast their ballots electronically. The regular election was held to elect the XXIV EANC Council.

In accordance with the EANC bylaws, 90% of eligible candidates are elected to the Council. This year, that means 34 members were elected from a field of 37 candidates. The remaining three candidates are designated as alternate members. The number of votes received by each candidate is listed below.

The new Council’s four-year term will begin at the EANC Annual Meeting, which will take place November 6–8 in Washington, D.C.

We thank everyone who participated in the election and wish the new Council energy, dedication, and productive cooperation throughout the coming term.

EANC XXIV Council Election Committee:

Lya Karm and Maria Pedak-Kari, Co-Chairs; Kersti Totsas Linask; Tiiu Kera

The votes received by the candidates were as follows:

• Kristi Vuht Allpere                                                   329
• Anne-Reet (Ilves) Annunziata                             289
• Kristi Austin                                                               221
• Mai-Liis Bartling                                                      318
• Marit Davey                                                             283
• Aarne Elias                                                               283
• Rasmus Erlemann                                                  277
• Leif Fritzell                                                                  290
• Rose Hellat                                                                208
• Kristel Imeraj                                                             261
• Doug Karpa                                                              242
• Gilda Karu                                                                 329
• Laine (Kõiva) Kingo                                                297
• Jüri Koll                                                                      233                                                   
• Urmas Kärner                                                           329
• Häly Laasme                                                             258
• Caroli Leiman                                                           251
• Merle Liivand                                                            245
• Maia Linask                                                               344
• Marja Lutsep                                                             284
• John Maasik                                                               319
• Laura-Liisa (Nanits) Mittal                                      271
• Mati Otsmaa                                                             336
• Silvi Pirn                                                                       277
• Liina Raud                                                                  253
• Anne-Marie Riitsaar                                                297
• Marju Rink-Abel                                                       356
• Ingrid Roosild                                                            309
• Tiina Sepp                                                                  300
• Andres Simonson                                                   337
• Alvar Soosaar                                                           325
• Eric Suuberg                                                              338
• Tarmo Tari                                                                 302
• Alan Tomson                                                             321
• Marianne Torm                                                         286
• Lisa Trei                                                                       325
• Ilmar Vanderer                                                         341

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The 2026 Election Committee was led by Co-Chairs Lya Karm and Maria Pedak-Kari, who jointly guided the election process and ensured that all procedures were conducted in accordance with the election rules as set out in the EANC Constitution and Bylaws and established practice. Both previously served as co-chairs of the Election Committee during the last Council election (2022) and brought many years of experience as active members and leaders in the Estonian-American community across the United States. The co-chairs were appointed by a vote of the full Council, and the Election Committee serves independently of the current Council.

The Election Committee also includes members Tiiu Kera and Kersti K. Linask. EANC thanks them for volunteering their time and attention!

“The Council election is an important opportunity for Estonian Americans across the United States to participate in the leadership of our national organization,” said EANC Executive Director Leelo Linask. “We are grateful to the Election Committee co-chairs and members for their willingness to serve and for helping ensure a fair, transparent, and well-administered election.”

“We are honored by the confidence placed in us to help oversee this election,” said co-chairs Lya Karm and Maria Pedak-Kari. “Working together with the Election Committee members and in coordination with the EANC Election Team, we are committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and carefully administered election.” The Election Committee encourages all eligible Estonian Americans to participate in this important process for our community.

The election, held every four years, determines the members of the Estonian American National Council, continuing a longstanding tradition of democratic representation and community leadership among Estonian Americans in the United States. Council members are all volunteers and serve a four-year term.

Official election information will be published in the newspaper Vaba Eesti Sõna (print and online) and on the EANC website www.estosite.org

Contacts:
Leelo Linask, EANC Executive Director: erku@estosite.org
Election Committee: eanc2026election@estosite.org
Learn more about EANC and its work, the upcoming election, and more: www.estosite.org