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When is the next moderator election?

Was wondering according to https://math.stackexchange.com/election it is around may each year (at least since 2012)

and I want to get a https://math.stackexchange.com/help/badges/207/caucus badge

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    $\begingroup$ Usually there's an evaluation whether or not new moderators are needed before there is an election. I feel that due to the recent improvements of the review system, many flags are handled by the community and the workload of the moderators is alleviated. I'm not sure whether or not we really need more diamonds here at the moment. (Perhaps if one of the moderators considers stepping down that would be different.) $\endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila Mod
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 12:27
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    $\begingroup$ @AsafKaragila I don't think that more moderators are needed given the community involvement in dealing with reviews, but I think the moderators themselves should be subject to review at least annually. $\endgroup$
    – user61527
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 14:56
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    $\begingroup$ @T.Bongers: I agree, but diamonds are forever. So this sort of review is probably (and should be) internal to SE. In this case, I don't know how many complaints have been filed on the behavior of the moderators, something which may or may not prompt such a review process explicitly. $\endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila Mod
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 15:05
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    $\begingroup$ @Willemien: well, I could step down if it will help you get your badge. :-) @Asaf: judging by our friendly cast of current and past moderators, I would have estimated a much shorter half-life. $\endgroup$
    – Willie Wong Mod
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 15:10
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    $\begingroup$ I, for one, am very happy with the current mod team and our workload, and I don't expect to have another election this year. $\endgroup$
    – davidlowryduda Mod
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 15:13
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    $\begingroup$ I am happy with our current moderators. I know that they have a difficult job and I don't expect perfect behavior. But as a matter os principle I would support term limits (say three years with elections every year (so not replace the whole team)). Maybe we just once a year have a confidence vote on the current moderators. If the moderators pass the vote, then we will not have elections. If a moderator doesn't pass the confidence vote (s)he losses his/her job and we have an election to replace that moderator. Again, I would suspect that the current moderators would all pass a confidence vote. $\endgroup$
    – Thomas
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 15:30
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    $\begingroup$ @Willie: I'm not disputing. I'd guess that $10^{\log_{10}(50)}$ years is probably a better upper limit. (I think that a drop from $10^{80}$ to $10^{\log_{10}(50)}$ deserves a publication. It's not every day we see such a dramatic improvements in the upper bounds of something!) $\endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila Mod
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 16:18
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    $\begingroup$ To be perfectly honest, I'm somewhat afraid of an election. The current mods seem to be getting along rather well (which does not mean that we always agree). We are also communicating with each other (and the SE team) about major decisions, which might be something rather novel for this site. In short, our personalities and approach to modding seems to mesh quite well, which has made the work much easier. An election might severely upset this fine balance, which causes me some angst. Of course, an election will come sooner or later, and I hope the electorate takes their task seriously. $\endgroup$
    – user642796 Mod
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 18:16
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    $\begingroup$ You know, one does not vote to get a badge... $\endgroup$
    – user122283
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 18:53
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    $\begingroup$ @AsafKaragila, the main thing that MSE is missing is a Dictator For Life. The wife of Old John is up for this in England, it is just a matter of time before the entire world... $\endgroup$
    – Will Jagy
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 20:00
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    $\begingroup$ @حكيمالفيلسوفالضائع: Perhaps because of the striking similarity to the word Couscous; or perhaps because people like having badges, and much like Pokemon, they want to have them all. $\endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila Mod
    Commented May 27, 2014 at 0:23
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    $\begingroup$ @AsafKaragila: Sorry, I was trying to be funny. $\endgroup$
    – Thomas
    Commented May 27, 2014 at 13:41
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    $\begingroup$ @Thomas: Don't you know that anything you write on the internet without a smiley face will be taken seriously? $\endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila Mod
    Commented May 27, 2014 at 13:48
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    $\begingroup$ I do see a point in checks and balances, but the obvious problem with reelections is that most moderation activity is invisible to most users and the secrecy is needed to work effectively. On the other hand, I feel uncomfortable with arguments that could come from James R. Clapper... $\endgroup$
    – Michael Greinecker Mod
    Commented May 27, 2014 at 15:28
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    $\begingroup$ @Michael: Better a Clapper than having the clap. I think. Maybe? $\endgroup$
    – Asaf Karagila Mod
    Commented May 27, 2014 at 21:51

1 Answer 1

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From this answer on metaSE:

The community team periodically looks at the work load on graduated sites and will reach out to the moderation team if it looks like more help might be needed. Broadly, it's up to the moderation teams to indicate whether they need additional hands, and how many sets of hands would be ideal.

Although we'll reach out to moderators on the anniversary of their last election, just to see how they're doing, elections do not always take place at the same time every year. Sometimes a year can even go by without any election at all. Most elections are scheduled as a result of moderators reaching out to Stack Exchange to ask for additional help.

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