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| 1 | +# CC Election 2026 Overview |
| 2 | + |
| 3 | +{% hint style="info" %} |
| 4 | +### How to Participate in CC Elections Process facilitated by Intersect? |
| 5 | + |
| 6 | +The CC elections applications and voting will happen in the Intersect Hydra-Voting Tool built by Intersect's member **Ekklesia** |
| 7 | + |
| 8 | +*** |
| 9 | + |
| 10 | +<a href="https://hydra-voting.intersectmbo.org/" class="button primary" data-icon="check-to-slot">Go to Hydra-Voting Tool</a> |
| 11 | + |
| 12 | +You can access the tool at [hydra-voting.intersectmbo.org](https://hydra-voting.intersectmbo.org/) and check documentation and guide at [docs.hydra-voting.intersectmbo.org](https://docs.hydra-voting.intersectmbo.org/) |
| 13 | +{% endhint %} |
| 14 | + |
| 15 | +{% hint style="danger" %} |
| 16 | +### Important |
| 17 | + |
| 18 | +The election process facilitated by Intersect determines which candidates are selected by the DReps to be part of the Update Committee governance action. |
| 19 | + |
| 20 | +Final appointment as Constitutional Committee members occurs **only after successful on-chain ratification and enactment of the Update Committee governance action**. |
| 21 | +{% endhint %} |
| 22 | + |
| 23 | +## A structured process for community selection |
| 24 | + |
| 25 | +In 2026, the Cardano ecosystem will elect new members to the Constitutional Committee (CC), a core governance body responsible for interpreting and upholding the Constitution. |
| 26 | + |
| 27 | +This election provides ada holders, through Delegated Representatives (DReps), with the ability to select candidates who will play a critical role in safeguarding the constitutional integrity of Cardano’s governance system. |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +The process is facilitated by Intersect using its Hydra-based voting platform and is designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and informed participation across the ecosystem. |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | +### About this election |
| 32 | + |
| 33 | +The CC election determines **which candidates are selected to serve as members of the Constitutional Committee**. |
| 34 | + |
| 35 | +DReps participate in a **stake-weighted vote**, selecting up to four candidates. The candidates receiving the highest level of support will be elected and later submitted on-chain through an Update Committee governance action.\ |
| 36 | +\ |
| 37 | +The elected members will serve a two-year term, equivalent to 146 epochs. |
| 38 | + |
| 39 | +This election does not itself appoint members on-chain. Instead, it determines the outcome that will be reflected in a subsequent governance action submitted to the blockchain. |
| 40 | + |
| 41 | +Final ratification remains subject to Cardano’s on-chain governance process. |
| 42 | + |
| 43 | +### Why a defined election process matters |
| 44 | + |
| 45 | +The Constitutional Committee plays a unique role within Cardano governance. It is responsible for assessing whether governance actions comply with the Constitution, acting as a safeguard for the system as a whole. |
| 46 | + |
| 47 | +Because of this responsibility, the selection of CC members must be: |
| 48 | + |
| 49 | +* Transparent |
| 50 | +* Structured |
| 51 | +* Accessible to the community |
| 52 | +* Grounded in clear expectations |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +A defined election process ensures that: |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +* Candidates are properly vetted and operationally ready |
| 57 | +* DReps can make informed decisions based on comparable information |
| 58 | +* The ecosystem maintains continuity and avoids governance gaps |
| 59 | +* The legitimacy of the CC is reinforced through open participation |
| 60 | + |
| 61 | +### **Who can apply and how many candidates will be elected** |
| 62 | + |
| 63 | +There are three types of candidates who can apply: |
| 64 | + |
| 65 | +* Individual |
| 66 | +* Organisation |
| 67 | +* Consortium |
| 68 | + |
| 69 | +Four candidates will be selected through this election.\ |
| 70 | +These will replace the four Constitutional Committee credentials that expire in Epoch 653. |
| 71 | + |
| 72 | +## Roles and responsibilities |
| 73 | + |
| 74 | +The election process separates responsibilities to ensure neutrality and accountability. |
| 75 | + |
| 76 | +* **DReps (Delegated Representatives)**\ |
| 77 | + DReps are responsible for voting. Their stake-weighted participation determines the outcome of the election. |
| 78 | +* **Candidates**\ |
| 79 | + Individuals, organisations, and consortia may register as candidates. All candidates must provide governance statements, demonstrate constitutional understanding, and submit valid on-chain credentials. |
| 80 | +* **Intersect**\ |
| 81 | + Intersect facilitates the process by providing the voting platform, coordinating timelines, verifying applications, and supporting operational execution. Intersect does not control the outcome. |
| 82 | +* **Civics Committee**\ |
| 83 | + Provides oversight of the process, including review of edge cases such as incomplete or non-genuine applications. |
| 84 | + |
| 85 | +## Ensuring a fair and transparent process |
| 86 | + |
| 87 | +Several mechanisms are in place to support integrity: |
| 88 | + |
| 89 | +* Mandatory credential verification prior to candidacy approval |
| 90 | +* Public candidate profiles for transparency |
| 91 | +* Stake-weighted voting aligned with Cardano governance |
| 92 | +* Locked profiles during voting to prevent changes |
| 93 | +* Independent audit of results |
| 94 | +* Clear separation between facilitation and decision-making |
| 95 | + |
| 96 | +Sensitive information, such as contact details, is kept private and is not exposed publicly. |
| 97 | + |
| 98 | + |
| 99 | + |
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