The Green National Committee has voted to hold its 2026 Annual National Meeting in person in Chicago, Illinois, signifying the Green Party’s return to a physical gathering for the first time since its 2019 meeting in Massachusetts.
The National Committee first began discussing proposals in late July, with Steering Committee member Joseph Naham administering the ranked-choice vote. A proposal for Chicago, jointly submitted by members of the Illinois and Wisconsin Green parties, was the top choice from a field that also included a virtual event option, a write-in option, and “None of the Above.” A total of 76 ballots were cast, representing 35 state parties and caucuses.
The voting period ended Sunday, with raw data showing the Chicago proposal receiving 55 first-choice votes and securing an outright majority. The virtual option received 14 votes, four members wrote in a hybrid proposal, two selected neither balloted choice, and one abstained. As the Chicago option received a clear majority in the first round, no vote transfers or second round were needed.
Based on details provided during the discussion stage, organizers behind the Chicago proposal expressed concerns over “Zoom fatigue” and disengagement after years of virtual events as a key reason for preferring an in-person gathering. Organizers also said online meetings lack the energy, personal connection, and spontaneity of face-to-face convenings, and argued that a return to “hallway conversations” would support grassroots organizing.
The meeting is expected to be held from July 23 to July 26, 2026. While logistical planning is still in the early stages, the committee will now begin securing venues, coordinating local organizing, and ensuring accessibility for members. The University of Illinois Chicago’s Student Center East was named as the proposed venue in the initial proposal, making it likely the party will pursue that option.
This will be the Green Party’s first in-person national meeting since 2019, when delegates met at Salem State University in Massachusetts. From 2020 through 2025, the party held its annual meetings virtually, initially in response to the pandemic and later with safety and accessibility considerations in mind. Proponents of the virtual option also argued that online meetings improve accessibility for some members.
The 2025 Annual National Meeting, the party’s most recent national event, was held from July 31 to August 3. That same weekend, new national party leadership was selected to coincide with the meeting, with more details on those votes available here.
Be First to Comment