https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1wo6ewFNR9Q

Background: The American Dental Association (ADA), as a 501(c)(6) member-governed nonprofit, has a legal and ethical obligation to conduct its elections in a manner that is fair, neutral, and consistent with the core governance principles outlined by the Internal Revenue Service. Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization (IRS Publication 557, January 2025)
outlines that exempt associations must avoid conferring private benefit, must apply internal procedures equitably to all candidates, and must ensure content-neutral communication and open access for members (pages 48 through 54).
Although the 2024 revision of the Election Commission and Campaign Rules aimed to improve clarity and structure, it left critical structural disparities unresolved. This resolution is a necessary continuation of that reform process, designed to align ADA’s internal election procedures with nonprofit governance norms and ethical standards.
One of the most damaging inequities is found in Rule 6, which creates a campaign hierarchy based entirely on the timing of a candidate’s announcement. Candidates who declare during the House of Delegates session are allowed full access to campaign opportunities, while those who declare later are barred from engaging with delegates outside their trustee districts. This rule favors incumbents and insiders and undermines the IRS expectation that internal elections provide equal access to participation.
Rule 8 compounds this imbalance by allowing any single candidate to veto campaign forums, interviews, or public appearances simply by declining to participate. This gives individual candidates the ability to silence others and prevents delegates from hearing all perspectives, a serious breach of member rights and a misuse of institutional neutrality. In a climate where many associations are facing scrutiny over internal bias, this kind of structural veto power poses reputational and legal risks.
The Campaign Rules also fail to address the growing problem of unregulated campaign spending. Candidates have spent six-figure amounts on their campaigns, with no reporting or limits, creating serious financial barriers to participation. Meanwhile, Rules 16 through 18 restrict affordable and modern communication tools, such as social media and third-party endorsements, further entrenching inequality. This framework discourages participation by qualified, lower-resourced members and undermines the integrity of ADA elections.
In recent years, candidates for President-elect have reported campaign expenditures exceeding $150,000. This raises serious concerns about fiscal responsibility and fairness, especially given that the office (while respected and highly visible) does not carry broad governing authority within the ADA structure. The rising cost of campaigns risks creating an uneven playing field, where access to financial resources (rather than leadership ability, qualifications, or vision) becomes a determining factor in who can realistically run for office.
This trend also conflicts with the ADA’s goals of efficiency, innovation, and inclusion. If the purpose of a campaign is to communicate a candidate’s ideas and vision to members and delegates nationwide, that can be achieved more effectively, more affordably, and with wider reach by using ADA-supported digital platforms. Virtual forums, recorded video messages, and secure online engagement allow all candidates to be heard, regardless of their campaign budget. Continuing to rely on costly travel, in-person visits, and selectively controlled invitations limits exposure for both the candidates and the members they seek to serve. A modern, digital-first approach can increase transparency, reduce spending, and bring ADA elections in line with current expectations of access and equity.
These concerns are not theoretical. Multiple candidates have faced limitations under these rules, and ADA members across the Tripartite have raised ongoing concerns about fairness and access. ADA’s Common Ground 2025: ADA Strategic Plan (April 2021) explicitly identifies “Commitment to Members,” “Diversity,” and “Inclusion” as core organizational values. The Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (as revised to October 2024) reinforces the ethical duty of fairness under the principle of Justice and requires governance processes that promote equity and transparency.