FAQ: Running for UAW Convention Delegate
The 39th UAW Constitutional Convention is this June in Detroit, Michigan.
The Convention is an opportunity for elected delegates from all UAW locals to propose changes to the UAW Constitution and set priorities for our union for the next four years. Learn how to become a delegate to represent your local membership.
What is a delegate?
Convention Delegates make up the highest decision-making body of the UAW according to our Constitution. They are elected by their local (non-amalgamated) or unit (amalgamated), and they can be rank and file members, stewards, committeepeople, shop chairs, or executive board members.
No matter your position in your local, you must be elected in a Delegate Election to represent the membership at conventions. The number of delegates your local is allotted is based on the membership size of your local (non-amalgamated) or unit (amalgamated).
Before the Constitutional Convention, delegates will receive a packet of proposed amendments to the UAW Constitution and resolutions to shape the direction of our union.
At the Convention, delegates can speak for or against proposed amendments and resolutions, and ultimately vote to pass them by a simple majority. They will also nominate of International Executive Board (President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Regional Director) candidates for the upcoming elections. All UAW members will have an opportunity to vote in these elections in Fall 2026.
Delegates also attend special conventions, such as the Bargaining Convention that traditionally takes place ahead of Big 3 contract negotiations.
What is an alternate?
Alternate delegates can be elected to attend the Convention in case of illness, emergency, or inability of delegates to participate. Locals determine how many alternates to elect.
How many delegates does my local get?
If your local is paying per capita taxes to the International, you are eligible to have delegates. Many new shops have joined the UAW since the last convention in 2022. Newly chartered locals need to have paid at least 2 months full per capita taxes to the International prior to June 2026.
The number of delegates allotted will be specified along with the Call to Convention letter, which your local should have received from the International as of February 4, 2026. The number of delegates and how many votes they get at convention are based on the size of your membership. Reach out to your local leadership to find out how many delegates were allocated to your unit or local.
Timeline for Delegate Elections for the 2026 UAW Constitutional Convention
How Can I Run for Delegate in My Local/Unit?
Delegates are democratically elected by members of their local, and they cannot be appointed. If you’re running, don't wait until the Call to Convention goes out to get started with your campaign.
Eligibility to Run
Delegates must be dues paying members in good standing for 12 months and a member of the local electing you for at least 3 months prior to June 1, 2026. So, if this is your first time being a UAW member and you haven’t paid dues for a full 12 months, you won’t be eligible to be a delegate. Or, if you’ve changed workplaces and joined a new local, you need to have been in your new local for at least 3 months prior to the Convention.
Your work status does not determine whether you’re eligible to run for delegate, only your membership status. If you are retired or laid off, you can still run as long as you are a member in good standing.
What you need to know: The deadline for local delegate elections is May 16, 2026. That means your local needs to hold delegate elections and finalize results before this date. In the past, most locals have held elections in March or April. Some locals combine delegate elections with their “triennial” elections for officers, stewards, etc.
Nominations and elections
To run, you must be nominated for delegate at a regular membership meeting, or special membership meeting called for the nomination of candidates. Your local is required to provide at least 7 days’ notice to members that this meeting is occurring. You can ask your local Recording Secretary or Executive Board representatives when it typically occurs. They should also provide a given deadline for nominations of candidates, so make sure you follow instructions provided to announce your nomination.
Your local is also required to give the membership at least 15 days’ notice that delegate elections are occurring and provide details on the time and place that polling will occur. These elections should also be at least 7 days after the deadline for nomination of delegates. It would be hard to run a successful campaign in only one week, which is why getting started early is essential.
Campaigning for Delegate
If you’re considering running for delegate, reach out to us at Member Action. Our network includes many UAW leaders who have run in union elections and won. We can connect you with legal and organizing advice.
Here are some tips for when you’re ready to get started:
Start by identifying the issues that matter most to members in your local and why you want to represent them at Convention. Talk with coworkers early about the changes they want to see and what they expect from a delegate, and build a platform that reflects those priorities.
Build a team of other candidates or trusted supporters across your workplace. A representative team expands your reach, helps connect you with members you don’t know yet, and ensures you’re hearing from different parts of the local. You don’t have to agree on everything, but you should be aligned on the core issues.
Run your campaign in two phases: first persuasion, then get-out-the-vote. First, identify supporters and ask them to help talk to other members and endorse your campaign. Visibility is important, but you should use flyers to start conversations and secure commitments to vote and gather contact information to follow up (not to decorate the break room). Then, in the last few days, focus on getting the supporters you’ve identified to follow through with voting.
