Raising the curtain: Demystifying the ACS N&E

As a former member and chair of several hardworking ACS committees, I can testify that the Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E) members devote exceptional time and effort to fulfilling their duties for ACS elections. The results of N&E members' labor are very visible, but much of the committee's work must be kept confidential for reasons discussed below. Despite this, N&E wants to be transparent about how we conduct our business and address concerns that arise. I hope this Comment will bring clarity by answering many of the questions we receive. What is N&E doing behind that curtain? N&E is responsible for receiving suggestions for candidates and nominations by petitions from ACS members, preparing slates of nominees, and conducting ACS national elections for the president-elect, members of the ACS Board of Directors, and elected committees—except our own, thanks to the ACS Council Policy Committee! For each position, we need to