Slate Vs. Selections: Navigating the SSA Ballot

The race is on. Voting is underway for the Self Storage Association (SSA) National Board of Directors, with 13 candidates vying for one of three seats at the table. While SSA Direct Members may cast votes for individual candidates, the ballot also includes a board-recommended slate. To discuss the election process, and to clarify how the slate is chosen, MSM spoke with Joe Doherty, the SSA’s chief legal & legislative officer.

Qualified Candidates

For this election, which closes October 14, the candidates elected to the board will serve a three-year term from 2026–2028. According to Doherty, any SSA member or affiliated state association may nominate one or more candidates for the board but they must meet certain qualifications specified under the SSA's bylaws.

To qualify, a nominee must be a member in good standing and meet two of the following:

• At least three years of continuous SSA membership prior to election
• One year of service on an SSA committee or task force
• Service on the board of an affiliated state association
• Leadership in the SSA Self Storage Council or Affiliated Associations Council.
  
  

“Any nominee who meets the qualifications appears on the ballot,” Doherty states.

Slate Selection

If you’ve checked out the ballot, you’ve noticed “the slate,” which is not uncommon in many professional and trade organizations. A slate is simply a group of candidates presented together as the official ticket—typically recommended by a nominating committee—so voters can select a vetted team with one choice. “The SSA’s bylaws provide that the Nominating Committee recommends a slate,” confirms Doherty.

Slates may be designed to be diverse, bringing together a variety of demographics or ideologies. Or, they may be put together because the individuals are like-minded, representing the status quo. The SSA has its own set of qualifications for a slate. “The Committee may consider experience, skillset, and various membership characteristics,” Doherty continues. “This can include company size, geographic distribution, and gender and social characteristics.”

SSA Direct Members can cast one vote for either the board-recommended slate (Option 1) or select up to three individual candidates from the full list (Option 2). The three slate nominees also appear individually within the list, so members who prefer a mix can choose any combination under Option 2. A write-in option is also available and can be combined with other selections under Option 2.

Member Thoughts

Slates often prevail across most organizations that use them. The ease of checking one box can be seen as a ‘voting shortcut’ but it may also present a cohesive, vetted group of candidates which voters gravitate toward. “The candidates on the slate are highly qualified, often with many years or decades of service to the industry and association,” says Doherty.

While a slate can make voting easier, Maurice Pogoda, president and founder of Pogoda Companies, prefers to make his own choices. “I look at each person on the full list and try to determine who’s going to fight for everyone,” he says. “I want those I choose to understand the issues and represent a broad agenda, whether they’re an owner, an investor, a vendor, and so on.”

That’s not to say he never goes with the slate – he just wants to be sure they’re the right choice for him. “A lot of times a slate consists of some of the most experienced in the industry, but should we not be looking at those who bring in new ideas too?” he asks.

“Ultimately,” concludes Pogoda, “I think people should look at each candidate and make up their own minds. Maybe after some research they’ll go with the slate, or maybe not. But it’s better they do their homework rather than have candidates spoon-fed to them.”

Chris Sonne, executive vice president with Newmark Valuation & Advisory Group, tends to vote for the slate. “The group usually aligns with my perspective on the industry,” he says, but clarifies that he has gone against the slate a handful of times. “I do my research, and there’s been times I found some of the other candidates to be more qualified. I just keep an open mind.”

While rare in general, individuals can win over a slate—especially when members seek a different perspective or rally behind an independent candidate. If engagement rises, and voters look at each individual candidate on their own, they may also choose to go against the grain when voting. In Doherty’s experience, however, this hasn’t happened. “The candidates on the slate have prevailed in the seven elections since I started with the SSA in 2018,” he notes.

Reporting Results

To determine outcomes, Doherty says the SSA uses survey software to collect, track, and tabulate votes. Staff verify that ballots are submitted only by members, that there are no duplicates, and that no more than the maximum number of candidates is selected. They then verify the final tally.

Will SSA ever release raw vote totals? “We have never publicly announced vote tallies,” states Doherty. Of course, if that policy changes, MSM will be ready to report it.

Don’t forget to vote. Each SSA Direct Member – whether an owner/operator or vendor, receives one vote. Submit your ballot by close of business on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

SSA Direct Members: Click To Vote now!