2026_SFC_Web_FullPageHeader_5101x1298

Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHAT IS THE GENERAL MANAGER VOTE?

It’s Democracy in Sports in action.

The General Manager Vote gives eligible Alliance Members the opportunity to decide on the retention of the club’s General Manager — the senior-most leader responsible for soccer decisions. It’s a right that goes back to the beginning of the Sounders’ MLS era & a simple belief that still matters today: This is your club. You should have a voice in it.

2. WHO CAN VOTE & HOW MANY VOTES DOES MY MEMBERSHIP HAVE?

The following Alliance Members are eligible to participate in the 2026 General Manager Vote.

SEASON TICKET MEMBERS

The primary account holder submits the ballot. Each eligible seat on the account represents one vote.

  • 1 eligible seat = 1 vote
  • 2 eligible seats = 2 votes
  • 4 eligible seats = 4 votes

So, if your account includes four eligible seats, you submit one ballot representing four votes.

FLEX MEMBERS

The primary account holder submits the ballot, with voting weight determined by eligible membership spend.

  • $1,000 = 1 vote
  • $2,000 = 2 votes

The primary account holder submits one ballot representing the full voting weight of the account.

3. HOW DO I VOTE?

Two ways: Online or in-person at Sounders matchdays at Lumen Field.

Eligible primary account holders can vote online anytime from Oct. 12 through Nov. 7 at 11:59PM.

Vote here: eballot.vote/soundersfc

  • You will need the email for the primary account holder + your account number.
  • Where can I find my account number? Log into Sounders FC account manager, your account number will be under your name when you click in the upper right hand corner.

VOTE AT LUMEN FIELD

  • Oct. 17 — vs. CF Montréal
  • Oct. 28 — vs. Houston Dynamo
  • Nov. 7 — vs. LAFC

4. HOW DOES THE GM VOTE WORK?

40% PARTICIPATION REQUIRED

At least 40% of eligible Alliance Members must cast votes for the General Manager Vote to be valid.

67% NO CONFIDENCE REQUIRED FOR REMOVAL

Once the participation threshold is reached, at least 67% of votes cast must be for No Confidence for action to be taken to remove the General Manager.  

5. I'M NOT THE PRIMARY ACCOUNT HOLDER. CAN I VOTE?

The primary account holder submits the ballot associated with an eligible membership.
If you share your membership with others, connect with the primary account holder. 

6. WHAT IF I CAN'T FIND OR ACCESS MY BALLOT?

If you're eligible to vote but haven't accessed your ballot — we're here to help. 
Vote here: eballot.vote/soundersfc 

  • You will need the email for the primary account holder + your account number
  • Where can I find my account number? Log into Sounders FC account manager, your account number will be under your name when you click in the upper right hand corner.
  • If you receive a "There are no ballots" message it means that your account has already submitted a vote. You can click on the completed tab to see the ballot your account already voted on.

7. WHY DO SOUNDERS HAVE A GENERAL MANAGER VOTE?

Because supporters having a voice in this club isn't new. It's part of how this club was built. When Sounders FC entered MLS, minority owner Drew Carey championed Democracy in Sports and made meaningful supporter involvement a foundational part of the club. The Alliance was created to turn that idea into something real — including the right to decide on the retention of the club's General Manager. 

8. HAS SOUNDERS FC HELD A GENERAL MANAGER VOTE BEFORE?

Yes. 2026 marks the fourth General Manager Vote in club history.

  • 2012: Adrian Hanauer; 96.3% of votes cast supported retention.
  • 2018: Garth Lagerwey; 87.3% of votes cast supported retention.
  • 2022: Garth Lagerwey; 90% of votes cast supported retention

9. WHO ADMINISTERS AND VERIFIES THE VOTE?

Sounders FC and Alliance Council collaboratively administer the GM vote through a third party platform, eBallot. eBallot independently verifies the results of the ballot; they support secure, reliable online voting experiences.

10. WHEN WILL RESULTS BE ANNOUNCED? 

Voting closes Nov. 7 at 11:59PM. After voting closes, results will be independently verified and announced after the conclusion of the 2026 season and before the start of the 2027 sprint season.