- Forum runs ~90 minutes via Zoom and will be livestreamed; audience observes, only candidates and moderator speak.
- ARIN has published the 2025 candidate slate; one Board candidate has withdrawn.
What happened: Virtual forum details and timeline
The Board of Trustees election process at ARIN includes a virtual Candidate Forum, scheduled for Thursday, 16 October at 2:00 PM ET. Planned to run for roughly 90 minutes. Members of the public can view but won’t be able to join the discussion. Registration is now open and the stream will be available on during the event. Voting follows from 30 October to 7 November for three Board seats, five Advisory Council seats, and one NRO Number Council seat.
ARIN separately posted the 2025 candidate slate, noting one withdrawal from the Board list — useful context for voters who want to compare platforms before the forum. The elections page outlines participation rules for General Members in Good Standing and how Voting Contacts are designated.
Also read: ARIN 56 registration now open
Also read: ARIN improves RPKI services to enhance routing security
Why it’s important
RIR elections steer the policies that shape IP address allocation, transfers and routing security. A well-run forum helps members scrutinise candidates on transparency, IPv6 deployment priorities, RPKI adoption and fee policy — issues that directly affect operators and cloud platforms in the ARIN region.
Still, the 90-minute webinar format limits audience interaction, and livestream-only Q&A may not surface tougher governance questions. ARIN’s publication of the slate and timelines is positive, but members will look for clear positions on accountability, community consultation, and how the Board will handle evolving RIR governance workstreams. Turnout — and the quality of debate — will determine whether this forum meaningfully informs votes rather than simply signalling process.
