[WIP] Candidate guide

elections/2026-GB/CANDIDATE-GUIDE.md

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+# 2026 CHAOSS Governing Board Election - Candidate Guide
+
+Thank you for your interest in serving on the CHAOSS Governing Board! This guide will help you understand the nomination process and prepare your candidacy.
+
+For an overview of this election and all related resources, see the [2026 Election README](README.md).
+
+For more information about CHAOSS elections, visit [the elections documentation](https://github.com/chaoss/community/tree/main/elections).
+
+## Election Timeline
+
+- **April 20, 2026**: Public announcement for nominations to open
+- **April 23, 2026**: Open Office - 10:00 PST / 13:00 EST (everyone welcome)
+- **May 11, 2026**: All candidate nominations due (23:59:59 UTC)
+- **May 13, 2026**: Election begins
+- **June 10, 2026**: Election closes (23:59:59 UTC)
+- **June 15, 2026**: Announcement of results
+
+**Open Office**: An open office session will be held on April 23 at 10:00 PST / 13:00 EST where everyone is welcome to ask questions about the election process, nominations, and voting. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about running for the Governing Board.
+
+## About the Governing Board
+
+The CHAOSS Governing Board is responsible for:
+- Setting strategic direction for the CHAOSS project
+- Overseeing working groups and software projects
+- Managing resources and budgets
+- Representing CHAOSS in the broader open source community
+- Ensuring the project's sustainability and growth
+
+**This election will fill 6 Governing Board seats** with two-year terms. There is a limit of 2 seats per organization/conglomerate to ensure diverse representation.
+
+For more details about the Governing Board's role and structure, see the [CHAOSS Charter](https://chaoss.community/charter/) and [election mechanics](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/mechanics-GB.md).
+
+## Candidate Eligibility
+
+To run in this election, you must:
+
+1. **Have been actively participating in CHAOSS** for at least 6 months consistently before the nomination deadline
+2. **Receive endorsements from 2 eligible voters** (see [voter eligibility](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/mechanics-GB.md#voter-eligibility))
+
+There are **no term limits** for Governing Board members, so current board members may run for re-election.
+
+### What Counts as Active Participation?
+
+Active participation includes:
+- Working group participation (attending meetings, contributing to discussions)
+- Code contributions to GrimoireLab, Augur, or other CHAOSS projects
+- Metric development or documentation
+- Community building, organizing events, or outreach
+- Technical writing or translation
+- Any other meaningful contributions to CHAOSS
+
+If you're unsure whether your participation qualifies, please reach out to the election officers (see contact information below).
+
+## The Nomination Process
+
+### 1. Find Your Endorsers
+
+Before you can submit your nomination, you need **2 endorsements from eligible voters**.
+
+- Reach out to CHAOSS community members who are familiar with your work
+- Endorsers should be able to verify your contributions and support your candidacy
+- Check the [voter eligibility criteria](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/mechanics-GB.md#voter-eligibility) to ensure your endorsers qualify
+
+### 2. Prepare Your Nomination
+
+Your nomination will be visible to all voters during the election. Use the [nomination template](nomination-template.md) to create your candidate profile.
+
+Your nomination should include:
+
+**Required Information:**
+- Your name
+- Your GitHub handle (case-sensitive)
+- Your organizational affiliation (or "Independent")
+
+**Nomination Statement:**
+- **My Contributions to CHAOSS**: Describe your participation in CHAOSS over the past 6 months or longer
+- **Why I'm Running**: Explain your vision for CHAOSS and what you hope to contribute as a board member
+
+
+### 3. Submit Your Nomination
+
+**Deadline: May 11, 2026 (23:59:59 UTC)**
+
+#### Option A: Submit via Pull Request (Recommended)
+
+1. **Fork the repository**: Go to [github.com/chaoss/community](https://github.com/chaoss/community) and click "Fork"
+
+2. **Create your nomination file**:
+   - Copy the [nomination-template.md](nomination-template.md) file
+   - Name it `candidate-yourhandle.md` (use your exact GitHub handle with correct case)
+   - Fill in all sections with your information
+
+3. **Add and commit your file**:
+   - Place your file in the `elections/2026-GB/` directory
+   - Commit with a clear message like "Add nomination for [Your Name]"
+
+4. **Create a pull request**:
+   - Push your changes to your fork
+   - Open a pull request to the main CHAOSS community repository
+   - In the PR description, include:
+     - A brief note about your candidacy
+     - Your 2 endorsers' GitHub handles (e.g., "@endorser1 and @endorser2")
+
+5. **Get endorsements**:
+   - Your 2 endorsers should comment on the pull request confirming their endorsement
+   - Example comment: "I endorse this nomination. @candidate has been an active contributor to CHAOSS and would be an excellent board member."
+
+#### Option B: Request Assistance from Election Officers
+
+**If you're not comfortable with GitHub pull requests**, don't let that stop you from running! Contact the election officers (see contact information below) in private and they will:
+- Help you submit your nomination
+- Create the pull request on your behalf
+- Coordinate with your endorsers
+
+Just provide the election officers with:
+- Your completed nomination text
+- Your GitHub handle
+- Your 2 endorsers' GitHub handles or contact information
+
+#### Important Notes
+
+- **Filename**: Must match your GitHub handle exactly (case-sensitive)
+- **Deadline**: Submit before May 11, 2026 (23:59:59 UTC) - late nominations cannot be accepted
+- **Visibility**: The contents of your nomination file will be visible to voters in the election system
+- **Endorsements**: Must be provided as comments on the pull request by the endorsers themselves
+
+### 4. What Happens Next
+
+After you submit your nomination:
+
+1. **Election officers review**: We'll verify your eligibility and endorsements
+2. **PR merge**: Once approved, your nomination PR will be merged
+3. **Voter visibility**: Your candidate profile will be visible to voters when the election opens on May 13
+4. **Election period**: Voters will rank candidates from May 13 - June 10
+5. **Results announcement**: Winners will be announced on June 15
+
+## During the Campaign Period
+
+While there are no formal campaign restrictions, we encourage all candidates to:
+
+- Be respectful of other candidates and community members
+- Follow the [CHAOSS Code of Conduct](https://chaoss.community/code-of-conduct/)
+- Focus on your own qualifications and vision rather than criticizing others
+- Engage authentically with the community
+
+You may:
+- Share your nomination in CHAOSS communication channels
+- Discuss your vision at community meetings or events
+- Answer questions from community members
+
+## Organizational Representation Limits
+
+**Important**: No more than 2 seats may be held by employees of the same organization (or conglomerate).
+
+If election results would place more than 2 employees from the same organization on the board, the lowest vote-getters from that organization will be removed until representation is down to 2.
+
+This ensures diverse organizational representation on the Governing Board.
+
+## Election Methodology
+
+CHAOSS elections use the **Condorcet method** (specifically the **Schulze method**), a ranked choice voting system where:
+- Voters rank all candidates in order of preference
+- The system analyzes head-to-head matchups between all candidates
+- The candidates who win the most pairwise comparisons are elected
+
+This method ensures that elected candidates best represent the community's preferences. For more details, see the [voter guide](VOTER-GUIDE.md#election-methodology).
+
+## Questions
+
+For common questions about nominations, eligibility, and the election process, see the [CHAOSS Election FAQ](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/election-faq.md).
+
+
+## Need Help?
+
+If you have questions about the nomination process or candidacy:
+
+- **Public questions:** Ask in the [#election-help](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/archives/C0ANNBGUVNY) Slack channel
+- **Private concerns:**
+  - Send an email to chaoss-election-help@googlegroups.com
+  - Or send a private message on Slack to one of the election officers:
+    - [Elizabeth Barron](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/team/U016ZS8LHLK)
+    - [Emma Irwin](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/team/U02G54BURL3)
+    - [Ali Ok](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/team/U05N0MJ9CF2)
+
+## Resources
+
+- **2026 Election Overview**: [README.md](README.md)
+- **Election FAQ**: [GitHub - CHAOSS election FAQ](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/election-faq.md)
+- **Nomination Template**: [nomination-template.md](nomination-template.md)
+- **Election Mechanics**: [GitHub - CHAOSS election mechanics](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/mechanics-GB.md)
+- **Voter Guide**: [VOTER-GUIDE.md](VOTER-GUIDE.md)
+- **CHAOSS Charter**: [CHAOSS governance structure](https://chaoss.community/charter/)
+- **Code of Conduct**: [Understanding community values and expectations](https://chaoss.community/code-of-conduct/)

elections/2026-GB/README.md

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+# 2026 CHAOSS Governing Board Election
+
+This election will fill 6 seats on the CHAOSS Governing Board with two-year terms.
+
+## Resources
+
+- [Voter Guide](VOTER-GUIDE.md) - Detailed information about the election process, eligibility, and how to vote
+- [Election FAQ](../election-faq.md) - Frequently asked questions about CHAOSS elections
+- [Candidate Guide](CANDIDATE-GUIDE.md) - Information for those interested in running for the Governing Board
+- [Nomination Template](nomination-template.md) - Template for candidate submissions
+- [Election Mechanics](../mechanics-GB.md) - CHAOSS Governing Board election rules and procedures
+
+## Quick Links
+
+- **Voting Platform:** https://elections.chaoss.community/
+
+## Contact Information
+
+If you have questions or need assistance during the election:
+
+- **Public questions:** Ask in the [#election-help](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/archives/C0ANNBGUVNY) Slack channel
+- **Private concerns:**
+  - Send an email to chaoss-election-help@googlegroups.com
+  - Or send a private message on Slack to one of the election officers:
+    - [Elizabeth Barron](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/team/U016ZS8LHLK)
+    - [Emma Irwin](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/team/U02G54BURL3)
+    - [Ali Ok](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/team/U05N0MJ9CF2)

elections/2026-GB/VOTER-GUIDE.md

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ Welcome to the 2026 CHAOSS Governing Board election! This guide will help you pa
 
 **This election will fill 6 Governing Board seats.** There is a limit of 2 seats per organization/conglomerate to ensure diverse representation.
 
+For an overview of this election and all related resources, see the [2026 Election README](README.md).
+
 For more information about CHAOSS elections, visit [the elections documentation](https://github.com/chaoss/community/tree/main/elections).
 
 For frequently asked questions about voting, eligibility, and the election process, see the [CHAOSS Election FAQ](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/election-faq.md).
@@ -198,23 +200,28 @@ The election process balances privacy and transparency:
 - **Verification**: The Condorcet calculations can be independently verified
 - **Exception requests**: Handled by election officers but your ballot remains private
 
-
 ## Need Help?
 
 If you have questions about:
 
 - **Election mechanics and rules**: See the [CHAOSS election mechanics documentation](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/mechanics-GB.md)
 - **Eligibility and FAQs**: See the [CHAOSS election FAQ](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/election-faq.md)
-- For any questions, please contact the election officers at the [#election-help](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/archives/C0ANNBGUVNY) channel in CHAOSS Slack.
-- For private concerns, contact the election officers over Slack:
+
+**Contact the election officers:**
+
+- **Public questions:** Ask in the [#election-help](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/archives/C0ANNBGUVNY) Slack channel
+- **Private concerns:**
+  - Send an email to chaoss-election-help@googlegroups.com
+  - Or send a private message on Slack to one of the election officers:
     - [Elizabeth Barron](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/team/U016ZS8LHLK)
     - [Emma Irwin](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/team/U02G54BURL3)
     - [Ali Ok](https://chaoss-workspace.slack.com/team/U05N0MJ9CF2)
 
 ## Resources
 
-- **CHAOSS Elections**: [elections.chaoss.community](https://elections.chaoss.community/)
-- **Election Mechanics**: [GitHub - CHAOSS election mechanics](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/mechanics-GB.md)
+- **2026 Election Overview**: [README.md](README.md)
 - **Election FAQ**: [GitHub - CHAOSS election FAQ](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/election-faq.md)
+- **Election system**: [elections.chaoss.community](https://elections.chaoss.community/)
+- **Election Mechanics**: [GitHub - CHAOSS election mechanics](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/mechanics-GB.md)
 - **CHAOSS Charter**: [CHAOSS governance structure](https://chaoss.community/charter/)
 - **Code of Conduct**: [Understanding community values and expectations](https://chaoss.community/code-of-conduct/)

elections/2026-GB/election.yaml

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+# Election configuration file
+
+name: CHAOSS Governing Board 2026 Election
+organization: CHAOSS
+start_datetime: 2026-05-13 00:00:01
+end_datetime: 2026-06-10 23:59:59
+no_winners: 6
+allow_no_opinion: True
+delete_after: True
+show_candidate_fields:
+  - affiliation
+election_officers:
+  - aliok
+  - ElizabethN
+  - emmairwin
+eligibility: |
+  Elibility to vote in this election is documented in the CHAOSS election mechanics document here: https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/mechanics-GB.md#voter-eligibility
+exception_description: |
+  If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements but are unable to vote, please
+  submit an exception request to the election officers. We want to ensure that all
+  contributors who have meaningfully participated in CHAOSS are able to vote.
+exception_due: 2026-05-27 23:59:59

elections/2026-GB/election_desc.md

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+# 2026 CHAOSS Governing Board Election
+
+This election will fill 6 seats on the CHAOSS Governing Board.
+
+Resources:
+- [2026 Election Overview](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/2026-GB/README.md)
+- [FAQ](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/election-faq.md)
+- [Voter guide](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/2026-GB/VOTER-GUIDE.md)
+- [CHAOSS Election mechanics](https://github.com/chaoss/community/blob/main/elections/mechanics-GB.md)
+
+## Key Timeline
+
+- **April 20, 2026**: Public announcement for nominations to open
+- **April 23, 2026**: [Open Office](https://teamup.com/event/show/id/q3WqvX3Vtt5D6vzaHKt7VYUpwmME6f) - 10:00 PST / 13:00 EST (everyone welcome)
+- **May 11, 2026**: Nomination deadline (23:59:59 UTC)
+- **May 13, 2026**: Voting opens via Elekto platform
+- **May 27, 2026**: Exception form deadline (23:59:59 UTC)
+- **June 10, 2026**: Voting closes (23:59:59 UTC)
+- **June 15, 2026**: Results announced

elections/2026-GB/nomination-template.md

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+-------------------------------------------------------------
+name: Your Name
+
+ID: your-github-handle-case-sensitive
+
+info:
+  - affiliation: Your Organization or Independent
+-------------------------------------------------------------
+
+## My Contributions to CHAOSS
+
+A paragraph about your contributions to CHAOSS. This could include:
+- Working group participation
+- Code contributions to GrimoireLab, Augur, or other CHAOSS projects
+- Metric development or documentation
+- Community building, events, or outreach
+- Any other meaningful participation
+
+## Why I'm Running
+
+A paragraph about why you want to serve on the CHAOSS Governing Board and what you hope to contribute. This could include:
+- Your vision for CHAOSS
+- Areas you'd like to focus on or improve
+- How your experience and perspective would benefit the community
+- What you bring to the board
+
+(Copy this file as candidate-yourname-case-sensitive.md and create a PR. yourname in the filename should match your Github handle with the correct case)
+(Contents of this file will be available to the voters to read in the election system)