This article preserves the reporting date so developing events are not mistaken for live coverage.
Quick heads up for PDGA members: the 2026 election window is open from July 1 through July 31, 2026. This one is worth more than a lazy inbox glance. The Global Board race has four candidates for two at-large seats, Europe has its own board ballot, and state or provincial coordinator races may appear depending on where your membership is based.
That is not as flashy as a final round chase card, but it shapes the stuff every player eventually feels: member value, local clubs, tournament support, course directory work, volunteer structure, youth growth, and how the PDGA spends its attention.
What is on the ballot
The Global Board race has two open seats. PDGA lists four candidates for those at-large positions:
- Conrad Damon #2450
- Rob Bullen #25817
- Ben Shinn #50445
- Ken Loukinen #127996
The top two vote getters serve three-year terms from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. Europe Board seats and coordinator races may also be part of the election cycle, so your ballot may include more than the global race.
Why disc golfers should care
The candidate material is heavy on themes regular players talk about all the time: member value, club support, Tournament Director training, growth outside the usual hotbeds, and making PDGA feel useful even when you are not grinding sanctioned events every weekend.
That is the good stuff to scan before voting. Do not just pick the name you have heard before. Look for the candidate who has a clear idea for the part of disc golf you actually live in, whether that is local league work, new-country growth, junior access, better event operations, or stronger support for clubs.
The practical bits
- Voting runs July 1 through July 31, 2026.
- Eligible members needed to be current as of June 25, 2026.
- PDGA says online ballot instructions go out by email during the first week of voting.
- Members without internet access can request a mailed paper ballot by contacting the PDGA office no later than July 20.
- If your state or province has a coordinator race, that local role can affect scheduling, TD support, course information, and regional communication.
My read: spend ten clean minutes with the candidate pages before voting. This is one of those small disc golf chores that actually touches the future version of your local scene.