Okay, I get it—voting for your best friend in BBYO elections sounds like the right thing to do. They’re your ride-or-die, your go-to person, and obviously, you want to support them. But let's be real, BBYO elections aren’t a popularity contest, and who you vote for actually matters!

At the beginning of every election whether it is chapter, regional or international, the N’siah repeats many phrases, these sentences include basic rules for the election. Towards the end of her plethora of wisdom she recites these words for the attendees to repeat: “I am a B’nai B’rith Girl and I will vote for the candidate based on her experience, qualifications, goals and dreams: NOT on our friendship” It is important for anyone considering attending an election to take in these words and think about what they truly mean.

While it can be tempting to be ‘faithful’ to your friend, at the end of the day, they will not be seeing your ballot and you should not feel binded into voting for anyone. 

For anyone, regardless of their situation, losing an election tremendously blows. What sucks even more is losing to someone who is significantly less qualified than you are, just because they happen to have more friends attending elections than you. Personally, putting an immense amount of  blood, sweat and tears into a speech and platform for them to not mean anything and to just lose that election to someone who clearly put in little effort to their craft is genuinely devastating.

Think about it: do you want someone leading your chapter or region just because they have a lot of friends, or, because they are actually the right person for the job? Leadership in BBYO means planning events, making sure everyone feels included, and keeping things organized. If your friend isn’t ready to take that on, then voting for them just because they’re your friend could actually hurt your chapter.

Additionally, true friends should understand that leadership isn’t about personal loyalty. Even if they manage to find out who your vote went to, if they get upset that you didn’t vote for them, that’s on them, not you. Your vote should go to the person who will make BBYO better for everyone, not just someone you sit with at meetings.

Watching someone win an election because of their overwhelming friendships, taking away that opportunity from someone else who has significantly more energy and devotion to BBYO is truly heartbreaking. responsibilities as that position.

Finally, BBYO is about growing as leaders, not just getting a title. So do the right thing: vote for who genuinely deserves it, not just who you’re closest to. Your chapter (and future self) will thank you!