Notes from Bob Yates of The Dallas Morning News about this year's Red Smith Award voting, submitted in an e-mail to voters:
Everyone,
It's time again to start the selection process for the Red Smith award.
I am touching base to make sure the email address I have for you is indeed correct and the best way to contact you. Please confirm with Wendy Dalchau, my assistant, by Jan. 19 at wdalchau@dallasnews.com or 214-977-8453.
I also need to let you know about changes in the process for 2012. The APSE executive committee has expanded the voting. Joining past presidents and previous Red Smith winners will be national officers, active members who have belonged to APSE for at least 10 years and alumni members who belonged to APSE for at least 15 years.
Here are other key points on voter eligibility:
* Each news organization will be limited to a single vote.
* If there are several members eligible at a given organization, the senior editor will vote, just as he or she does now for national
office.
* Past presidents and Red Smith winners retain their vote and are not included in the limit of one per organization.
Award nominations may be made by any member eligible to vote for the award as well as region chairs. Bill Millsaps of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, of course, was the 2011 winner. As the five top vote-getters from last year, Peter Finney, Henry Freeman, Dan Jenkins, Leigh Montville and George Vecsey will automatically be on the ballot for 2012.
Here are the milestones for the 2012 award process:
* Jan. 23 – Nominations open. Eligible voters and region chairs will receive an email seeking nominations. Nominations should be sent to Bob Yates at byates@dallasnews.com and should include a brief biography of the candidate.
* Feb. 20 – Nominations close.
* Feb. 27 – Eligible voters receive an email ballot.
* March 13 – Deadline for ballots to be returned.
* March 15 – 2012 Red Smith winner announced.
Bob Yates
Deputy Managing Editor/Sports
The Dallas Morning News
