Let us examine the Board's narrative about the 2026 election

 I have copied the text of the official page introducing the 2026 election at https://reivote.com/ and inserted my comments in  bold italics about this fairy tale version of you beautiful members support the excellent candidates handpicked by the beautiful board and thanks a lot for your gullibility. 

Every year, eligible REI Co-op Members* 

(the * sends to the fine print at the bottom of the page that explains the eligibility conditions: ie having paid $30 to become a member in 2025, being a member from a previous year and having spent at least $10 at REI,  so members having not spent $10 and are not eligible, but try anyway)

REI does not tell us how many members are eligible to vote, as they don't tell us how many members voted in 2025.

 have the opportunity to elect fellow members to the board to serve a three-year term. 

(means they have handpicked only 3 candidates so there is no challenge for any seat and they have excluded any "self nominated' candidate they did not approve of, as they did in 2025 but hush let us not speak about this disappointing event, let us erase its existence)

 We always look for candidates with relevant experience operating businesses of similar size and scale to REl; an established history of innovation and disruption in the consumer experience industry; and proven effectiveness as a board member 

(that's corporate talk to describe corporate type candidates, probably millionaires and already on other corporations boards, rarely, never? another coop or a union or other non business organization).

Our candidates this year are proven change leaders with impressive records, each bringing a fresh perspective and demonstrated track record of community-centered leadership, equity work, and strategic insight that are aligned to REl’s long-term business direction and transformation 

(they have been chosen not to rock the boat and voice any dissent. Let us remember that after the defeat of their 3 slate of candidates in May 2025, they just coopted in september 3 other minions for 3 years. That is a complete undemocratic process: you approve our choice of candidates or we pick up another slate to our liking without any say on your part: "right we win, left you lose").

By casting your vote for board of directors candidates, you play a vital role in guiding the co-op 

(you play a vital role in keeping the board in absolute control if you approve their choice but not so vital as if you dissent, no worries,  they'll move to the oligarchic cooptation of substitutes) 

fill our purpose: inspiring and equipping everyone to get outside 

(and keeping us, an oligarchy of nine in complete control inside, even if in august 2025 we made a secret deal with the unions to make them feel like we are going to really negotiate a contract in good faith although nothing is signed yet and they have to rely on trusting people I would never trust. 

In this case of the on going collective bargaining the lack of transparency remains complete from both sides, management and the unions. It's touching to watch on Tik Tok videos of REI workers from different cities participating in meetings in various places -who pays for their trips and accommodations?- but the highest price paid is the unions having accepted to drop the ball as far as the 2026 election is concerned. 

Not that their strategic retreat will assure the corporate slot will not be defeated anyway and I would like to assume that's what the union organizers privately hope as it would keep the pressure on the board and management.

Obviously still, many members are confused and/or upset and rightfully affirm they intend to vote withhold again. 

Not that would bother the Board too much, except in terms of bad PR but they excel at keeping things as quiet as they can  rely on the cooptation route, quickly forget about the disappointing members who keep refusing to play their obedient part in this game by paying their allegiance to the handpicked slot.

The solution: abandon this fraudulent electoral nomination system and its oligarchic cooptation plot. Let us keep withholding the vote until the board is, year after year, without any membership support and as widely as possible exposed in the media, traditional and social on such a scale they have to abandon their toxic ways. I think it would be hard to keep things without any change after repeated defeats at the annual election.

But I bet that if they lose again they'll try again to coopt  another slot of their choice.