# CC Election 2026 Overview A structured process for community selection 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. 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. 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. *** ### What this election does The CC election determines **which candidates are selected to serve as members of the Constitutional Committee**. 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. 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. Final ratification remains subject to Cardano’s on-chain governance process. *** ### Why a defined election process matters 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. Because of this responsibility, the selection of CC members must be: * Transparent * Structured * Accessible to the community * Grounded in clear expectations A defined election process ensures that: * Candidates are properly vetted and operationally ready * DReps can make informed decisions based on comparable information * The ecosystem maintains continuity and avoids governance gaps * The legitimacy of the CC is reinforced through open participation *** ### Roles and responsibilities The election process separates responsibilities to ensure neutrality and accountability. **DReps (Delegated Representatives)**\ DReps are responsible for voting. Their stake-weighted participation determines the outcome of the election. **Candidates**\ Individuals, organisations, and consortia may register as candidates. All candidates must provide governance statements, demonstrate constitutional understanding, and submit valid on-chain credentials. **Intersect**\ Intersect facilitates the process by providing the voting platform, coordinating timelines, verifying applications, and supporting operational execution. Intersect does not control the outcome. **Civics Committee**\ Provides oversight of the process, including review of edge cases such as incomplete or non-genuine applications. *** ### Candidate registration Candidates must register during the registration period using the designated election portal. There are three registration tracks: * Individual * Organisation * Consortium All candidates are required to provide: * A valid cold credential (key or script) * Contributions to Cardano * Motivation for running * Views on decentralised governance * Constitutional familiarity and interpretation * A transparency approach for communicating decisions This information is used to generate public candidate profiles, enabling DReps to review and compare candidates. Applications may be edited until the voting period begins, after which profiles are locked. *** ### The election process The election follows a structured sequence of phases: * **Registration**\ Candidates submit applications and credentials are verified. * **Promotion and awareness**\ Candidates engage with the community through discussions, written content, and public forums. Intersect facilitates neutral spaces for candidate visibility. * **Voting (Hydra-based platform)**\ DReps review candidates and cast stake-weighted votes through Intersect’s Hydra voting platform. Each DRep may vote for up to three candidates.\ A snapshot of voting power is taken at the end of the voting period to determine the final result. * **Results and audit**\ Results are finalised and independently reviewed. Successful candidates are identified based on total stake-weighted support. * **On-chain submission**\ An Update Committee governance action is submitted containing the elected candidates, enabling formal ratification and enactment. *** ### Planned timeline for the 2026 election While exact dates may adjust slightly, the intended timeline is: * **May 1 – May 31**\ Candidate registration * **June 1 – June 13**\ Promotion and community engagement * **June 13 – July 13**\ Hydra voting period * **Epoch 648 (July 28 - August 2**\ Submission of Update Committee governance action This timeline is designed to ensure sufficient time for candidate evaluation, community engagement, and a smooth transition between outgoing and incoming CC members. *** ### Ensuring a fair and transparent process Several mechanisms are in place to support integrity: * Mandatory credential verification prior to candidacy approval * Public candidate profiles for transparency * Stake-weighted voting aligned with Cardano governance * Locked profiles during voting to prevent changes * Independent audit of results * Clear separation between facilitation and decision-making Sensitive information, such as contact details, is kept private and is not exposed publicly. *** ### Building Cardano governance The Constitutional Committee is a cornerstone of Cardano’s governance system. A well-structured and transparent election process helps ensure that those entrusted with constitutional oversight are selected through informed, community-driven participation. As with all governance processes in Cardano, the outcome ultimately depends on the engagement of the community. DReps are encouraged to review candidate profiles, participate in discussions, and cast their votes. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.hydra-voting.intersectmbo.org/cc-elections/cc-election-2026-overview.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. 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