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2023 USA Fencing Election

2023 Election Schedule

  • Dec. 1, 2022: Window for nominations opens
  • Dec. 21, 2022: Window for nominations closes
  • Early 2023: List of candidates announced
  • March 31, 2023: Petition Deadline
  • April 27, 2023: Candidate Forum on Zoom for one half of candidates (8 p.m. ET)
  • May 9, 2023: Candidate Forum on Zoom for other half of candidates (8 p.m. ET)
  • May 15, 2023: General election opens
  • June 5, 2023: General election closes
  • June 6, 2023: Winners announced
  • Sept. 1, 2023: Terms begin for the newly elected at-large directors

How Will the Election Work?

Who can vote? 

Any USA Fencing member age 18 or older in good standing as of Feb. 1, 2023, and who belongs to a membership class that includes the right to vote is eligible to vote. Eligible membership classes are Life, Competitive, Collegiate Competitive, Supporting, Access, Olympian Life, Paralympian Life, Life Installment and Coach.

Who cannot vote?

Anyone who doesn't meet the criteria above. This could include members who became USA Fencing members after Feb. 1, 2023, or parents of youth members with valid memberships. 

What's being voted on?

Voters will be asked to vote in two different elections. Voters will be given the option to abstain from one vote and only vote in the other.

  • Board of Directors: Three at-large directors to be elected
  • Hall of Fame, Class of 2024: Six athletes and one coach to be elected (learn more)

How will the election work?

To determine which of the 11 candidates will be elected into the three open seats, voting will be conducted using a preferential voting system. 

In August of 2020, the USA Fencing Bylaws were amended to change the method of voting in elections to use this style of voting. The system we’ll use is outlined here.

Voters rank the candidates in order of preference, with “1” being the highest (most preferred) ranking. Voters may rank just one candidate or all 11, and their preferences will be tabulated accordingly. The three candidates who receive the best combined ranking across all ballots will earn seats on the Board.

How will I receive my ballot?

Eligible voters will receive their ballot by email through Election Buddy. Each voter will receive a unique voting link.

What if I think I'm eligible to vote but never received a ballot? 

If you've reviewed the eligibility information above and believe you should have received a ballot, email us at information@usafencing.org. Include your member number and first and last name in the email.

Who's Running?

Three of the following 11 candidates will be elected to the Board.

  • Donald Alperstein (Denver, Colo.)
  • Igor Chirashnya (San Jose, Calif.)
  • Andrey Geva (Houston, Texas)
  • Selina Kaing (Cupertino, Calif.)
  • Nancy Kirkpatrick (Vandalia, Ohio)
  • Ivan Lee OLY (Cambria Heights, N.Y.)
  • Damien Lehfeldt (Alexandria, Va.)
  • Ann Marsh-Senic OLY (Royal Oak, Mich.)
  • Joanne Pasternack (San Jose, Calif.)
  • Abdel Salem OLY-Egypt (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
  • Richard Weiss (Fairfax, Va.)

To see a video and one-page summary from each candidate, go here.

Hall of Fame Nominees

Learn more about the Hall of Fame nominees here.

Latest News About the 2023 USA Fencing Election

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Candidate Eligibility Requirements

All USA Fencing members are invited to apply for the three open at-large director positions and/or to suggest potential candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee. 

All applications are welcome and will be considered. 

Applicants with a background/expertise in education, financial services, marketing, fundraising, development, DEIB and innovation are strongly encouraged to consider applying.

The USA Fencing Nominating Committee will be particularly seeking individuals who have prior board experience (inside or outside of the sport), or have held senior leadership positions in business, who preferably have expertise in finance, education, fundraising, strategic planning, or another knowledge gap of the USA Fencing board, who have an ability to collaborate and work well with fellow board members, who has the vision and ability to lead and inspire USA Fencing to move forward in a positive strategic direction, and who understand the difference between governance and operations.