The EANC Election Committee announces that a total of 451 voters participated in the 2026 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 on page 3.
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 names of the candidates and the votes they received:
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 Imera – 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
