Steward Elections Term 7 - Update on Timing and Next Steps

[netto.eth]

Hey, want to provide more transparency and background about what MetaGov WG is thinking on Steward Elections.

As defined in the ENS DAO Working Group Rules:

• Nomination Window: December 6, 9:00 UTC → December 9, 9:00 UTC
• Election Window (vote): begins December 10, 9:00 UTC and lasts 120 hours

MetaGov’s Proposed Dates:

• Nomination Window: December 8, 9:00 UTC → December 16, 9:00 UTC
• Election Window (vote): begins December 17, 9:00 UTC and lasts 120 hours
  • (December 22, 9:00 UTC)

The reasoning for the proposed windows is that two live proposals are currently affecting the context for this cycle:

1. A full DAO retrospective - which suggests postponing the election by four months so current Stewards can support the process.
2. A proposal to dissolve or restructure Working Groups (which is likelly to be rejected) - creating uncertainty around whether some groups will persist.

Given this uncertainty, opening nominations now risks low participation, unclear commitment from potential candidates, and misalignment with possible structural changes.

Current planning

Ideally, we also wanted to have more time to announce the nomination phase and attract more external actors. There are a plenity of great talent around the industry that we endup not attracting also because of awareness. Otherwise we’ll get only insiders that are on the forum already.

• Pause the nomination schedule until the above proposals reach a decision.
• If resolved before December 8th: if both proposals are rejected, proceed with the extended Nomination Window and standard Election Window.
• If not: trigger the fallback in Rule 6 and schedule nominations/elections “as soon as is practicable” once there is clarity.

We believe this approach respects the Working Group Rules while avoiding a rushed or meaningless nomination phase.

Additional notes for this election cycle

• Compensation: We will be using the same compensation structure for Stewards as the last term.
• Ballot structure: Each Working Group election will include one additional option for dissolving the Working Group, and the vote will use Ranked Choice Voting with the Copeland method.

Feedback welcome about whether this is the best path forward.

[estmcmxci]

@netto.eth

Ideally, we also wanted to have more time to announce the nomination phase and attract more external actors. There are a plenity of great talent around the industry that we endup not attracting also because of awareness. Otherwise we’ll get only insiders that are on the forum already.

I think this is a very bizarre and puzzling conclusion. Yes, we want to attract external actors, but they will likely lack context — and fastening them to a leadership position without sufficient context is like recruiting a star quarterback when we’re actually playing chess.

Besides, attracting new talent is a year-round effort, not just something we rush during the final month of the year when Steward elections are being held.

This completely undervalues the contributors who are already showing up, learning, and shipping inside ENS DAO. It treats current participants as a fallback option, not the core leadership pipeline.

It also frames active contributors in a negative light — but those “insiders” are the ones who:

• understand the protocol and the DAO’s governance structure
• have demonstrated commitment and competence
• have context that outsiders lack

Competency in governance comes from participation, not industry clout.