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In February 2026, the American Musicological Society (AMS) held a ratification vote for By-Laws amendments proposed by the Board of Directors in September 2025. The proposed amendments called for changes to articles IV, VI, VII, and IX. The AMS By-Laws requires that two-thirds of voting members approve an amendment for it to be ratified.

The results of the ratification vote were as follows. The proposal to amend articles VI and IX achieved a two-thirds majority of voting members. The proposal to amend articles IV and VII did not achieve a two-thirds majority. The specific proportions are indicated below. 

  1. Article IV. Council
    Yes – 57%          No – 43%
  2. Article VI. Board of Directors
    Yes – 69%         No – 31%
  3. Article VII. Committees
    Yes – 56%         No – 44%
  4. Article IX. Meetings of Members
    Yes – 75%         No – 25%

 

The proposed changes that were ratified by AMS members (articles VI and IX) serve three main purposes:

1. Allow for the calling of emergency meetings of the Board of Directors with less notice and, if necessary, by the Executive Director.
2. Clarify that a quorum of the Board of Directors requires seven voting members.
3. Remove outdated or overly specific language.

Please consult the 2025 Proposed By-Laws Changes document to review the text of all proposed amendments, with rationales and comparisons to the prior By-Laws text. The approved changes to the By-Laws will be updated on the AMS website in the coming weeks.