MTHA Prepares For Board Election

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors began preparations July 29 for the triennial board election scheduled for December 2026.

The Board unanimously authorized President Katharine M. Voss to identify five (5) MTHA members to serve on the Nominating Committee, subject to appointment by the Board in accordance with the Association’s bylaws.

The Board expects to formally appoint the Nominating Committee in September. The Committee will consider all members eligible for election and, within 10 days of its appointment, submit a report to the Board recommending nominees. Work on candidate profiles for the election booklet will begin in early October after the nominees are finalized.

A special meeting of the membership will be held in October. At that meeting, the Nominating Committee’s report will be announced, and additional nominations may be submitted from the floor or in writing in accordance with the requirements of the bylaws. The Board also will announce the approved election procedures.

The election booklet is scheduled to be finalized by November 17. Ballots and printed election booklets will be mailed December 1, and each ballot will include a QR code providing electronic access to the booklet. The mailing also will include the ballot and return envelopes required by the bylaws. Completed ballots must be received by the close of business on December 31.

IntelliScan, the independent third-party election services company that MTHA has engaged to conduct the election, expects to announce the results by early January.

To be eligible to run for an owner-only seat,  the owner-only candidate must hold an ownership interest in one or more horses that collectively have made at least five (5) starts at a Maryland track licensed to conduct Thoroughbred racing during the 365 days immediately preceding the close of nominations.

To be eligible to run for a trainer seat, the trainer candidate must satisfy at least one of the following requirements during that same 365-day period:

• At least 50% of the candidate’s starts were made at a Maryland track licensed to conduct Thoroughbred racing; or
• The candidate accumulated at least thirty (30) starts at a Maryland track licensed to conduct Thoroughbred racing.

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