Site Selection And Why We Want You To Care FAQ
What is Site Selection, anyways? Site selection is the phrase used by Worldcons to describe the process by which future Worldcons are located. Site selection is done by WSFS members voting on bids presented by various groups interested in hosting a Worldcon. Bids can submit documentation to be deemed eligible to be placed on the ballot or they can be "write-in" bids that did not submit documentation by the deadline to prove eligibility.
I want to help choose where the next Worldcon is! How does this voting thing work? Site selection elections are held for the Worldcon 2 years in the future. Glasgow 2024's Site Selection was to decide on where Worldcon 2026 would be held (LAcon V won). In order to vote you will need to be a current member of WSFS. You obtain membership in WSFS by purchasing a WSFS membership to the current year's Worldcon. This is also known as a "supporting" membership. Attending a Worldcon requires purchasing an "attending" supplement in addition but you don't need an attending supplement in order to be a WSFS member.
Wait, what? I don't just get a "membership"? Why are these split up? You can get both a WSFS and Attending supplement in one purchase to a Worldcon but the WSFS membership part is what allows you to vote in site selection. It's also what allows you to nominate for and vote in the Hugo Awards. Many people who will not be attending a given Worldcon are interested in participating in the Hugo Awards and WSFS memberships allow them to do so without having to buy an Attending supplement to a convention they won't be at. Attending the Worldcon is a separate thing from being a WSFS member (although a great many people combine them).
So, in order to vote in Site Selection I need to be at least a WSFS member of that year's Worldcon. I don't HAVE to be an attendee. That also covers nominating prospective Hugo award winners? Yes. You get to nominate and vote for the Hugo Awards and participate in Site Selection for the Worldcon 2 years in the future by being a current year's WSFS member. However, you will have to purchase another WSFS membership for the Worldcon you're voting for 2 years in advance.
What? Another fee? This is starting to add up. Whyfor? This fee is called the "voting fee" in our parlance but it's actually your WSFS membership for the Worldcon 2 years in advance, whatever group wins. You don't even need to vote if you don't want to; once you've paid the fee you have your advance WSFS membership for 2 years in the future. You pay this in advance to cast your ballot for Site Selection because you need to be a WSFS member to participate in WSFS activities and you're doing that by voting. These advance purchase WSFS fees (voting fees) are forwarded to the winning bid for their use in creating that Worldcon. Most Worldcons offer their best rates for attending supplements to those who voted in Site Selection.
So, why is all this information here? I care . . .why? Basically, we want you to vote! We want you to vote in Site Selection. Our community is made up of participants as well as attendees. Voting in Site Selection is one of the best ways to participate if you want a say in where Worldcon is going (geographically speaking). If you have a preference for a specific bid this is a great way to demonstrate that. It takes care of your WSFS membership for 2 years in the future and you won't have to remember whether you bought one or not. Should the bid you vote for win it's usually coupled with the lowest attending supplement rate that will be available to prospective attendees. It also provided "seed money" to the winning bid so they can start paying for things integral to a Worldcon and plan for bigger things earlier.
I want more information but not in a FAQ format. Where can I find this? Two places online you can find out more information are https://www.worldcon.org/ and https://seattlein2025.org/wsfs/site-selection/what-is-site-selection/