0x71558ae2…779csent to0xcf2f348c…b49a·#23,976,644·view on Etherscan
sendOrRegisterDebt(address,uint256)7z# Ratify the 2026 DUNA Admin Election Process
## TLDR
This proposal outlines the process for the upcoming 2026 DUNA Admin election. Passing this proposal ratifies the framework and immediately initiates the election timeline described below.
**Note: This candidate serves as the first iteration of an election process. Our intention is for this to be the hub of election discussions moving forward, with community feedback shared here incorporated into the election process outlined below.**
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## Introduction
This proposal defines the election process for selecting the 2026 DUNA Compliance Administrators. Administrator oversight is crucial for maintaining legal compliance, operational continuity, tax readiness, and the consistent execution of grant-related responsibilities. By formally adopting this election framework, the DAO affirms a simple, fair, and repeatable onchain method for choosing its administrators while ensuring the process begins on a preset schedule.
## Election Process
If approved, this proposal triggers the election process for appointing the next Compliance Administrators. The goal is to maintain a simple, open, fully onchain process that provides clarity and consistency for all participants.
The timeline below assumes this process proposal is submitted onchain on 4/20/26.
### Election Process and Timeline
- **4/20/26: Process ratification proposal submitted onchain** Submission of this proposal begins the ratification vote.
- If passed, the outlined election process is adopted. This process reflects months of community feedback and refinement since December 2025.
- **4/27/26: Voting on the ratification proposal concludes** Once passed, the election process officially begins.
- Anyone wishing to participate must publicly comment on this proposal with the following statement in a Vote with Reason or zero-weight comment: **“I nominate myself, [name], to be considered for DUNA admin elections.”**
- Current administrators are automatically eligible because they are unable to vote on this proposal.
- All nominees should use the shared **HackMD candidate template** provided here: [https://hackmd.io/@0xsatori/admin-template](https://hackmd.io/@0xsatori/admin-template) The template includes required fields along with optional areas for personal context.
- **4/28–5/5: Candidate Proposal and Nomination Window** Nominees finalize and publish their candidate proposals using the shared template.
- Candidates must secure sponsorship from another Noun holder.
- Self-sponsorship is permitted only for current administrators.
- Current administrators may optionally post their proposals on 4/27 to set an early example for formatting and completeness.
- **5/6–5/12: Voting Period** No new submissions qualify after 5/5.
- Candidates must not vote on other candidate proposals using their own Nouns, delegated Nouns, or through meta-governance.
- Candidates may campaign for support of their own proposals, but must avoid influencing voters from voting 'For' or 'Against' other nominees.
- **5/13/26: Results** All qualifying proposals will have concluded voting.
- Administrators are selected based on proposal passage, with the recommended method being the appointment of the two candidates who receive the highest number of “For” votes during the submission window.
- Candidates who are not appointed must cancel their compensation streams.
- If any non-appointed candidate fails to cancel, the DAO will have time to submit cancellation proposals before streams begin on 6/1/26.
- **5/14–5/31: Onboarding and Transition** During this period, the existing administrators will:
- Transfer control of assets and multisigs
- Introduce the new administrators to service providers and KYC systems
- Conclude outstanding responsibilities before their term ends on 5/31
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## Eligibility Criteria and Appointment Terms
- Nominees must post the required nomination statement on this proposal.
- Nominees must secure sponsorship from another Nouner, except current administrators who may self-sponsor.
- Candidate proposals must be submitted onchain during the designated submission window.
- Compensation streams for all admin candidates must begin 6/1/26 and end 5/31/27, and shall not exceed 100,000 USDC.
- Nominees must refrain from influencing the election through voting, meta-governance, or governance discussions, including but not limited to Lil Nouns, Nouncil, or Nogs.
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## Closing Statement
Clear and consistent governance depends on a reliable process for selecting those responsible for administrative oversight. By adopting this election framework, the DAO reinforces its commitment to transparency, accountability, and operational stability, ensuring the DUNA remains well supported as it moves into the next year of onchain governance.
---
# DUNA Context and Admin Info
Nouns DAO has completed its transition from a Cayman Foundation structure to a Wyoming DUNA, as authorized in [Proposal 662](https://nouns.wtf/vote/662). Under the Wyoming DUNA Act:
> "Administrator" means a person authorized by the members of a decentralized unincorporated nonprofit association to fulfill administrative or operational tasks at the direction of the membership (**[Wyoming DUNA Act](https://wyoleg.gov/2024/Enroll/SF0050.pdf)**, 17-32-102. "Definitions(a)(i)"). Additionally, Section 17-32-123. "Selection of administrators; rights and duties of administrators" provides that an administrator will have no authority to act on behalf of the DAO absent specific authorization from its membership.
The DAO now operates as a legally recognized nonprofit association within the United States. This requires ongoing compliance with:
- U.S. federal tax rules
- Wyoming state law
- OFAC and sanctions-related restrictions
- Record-keeping obligations
- Information-reporting requirements for grant recipients
The Compliance Administrator structure exists to ensure that the DAO can confidently and continuously meet these obligations.
## Administrator Workload and Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Compliance Administrators review proposals, ensure alignment with the DAO Bylaws and U.S. law, oversee KYC onboarding, manage offchain assets, and coordinate with accountants, tax and legal advisors, and other vendors. These responsibilities require continuous monitoring, communication, and coordination. A high-level overview of the workload is below.
**Proposal and Legal Oversight**
- Review proposals for legal, tax, sanctions, and governance risks
- Confirm alignment with Bylaws and U.S. law
- Provide guidance on grant structures and complex proposal flows
- Engage legal counsel only when needed for liability, sanctions, contracts, or governance interpretation
**Grant and Treasury Compliance**
- Collect and maintain required tax documents before disbursement
- Administer sanctions checks and verify grantee eligibility
- Coordinate with accountants and tax advisors on proper categorization and reporting
- Support accurate crypto or fiat payouts authorized by proposals
**KYC and Contributor Onboarding**
- Manage grantee onboarding and verification through Persona
- Assist with technical or verification issues
- Maintain secure compliance records for audits and reporting needs
**Operations and Administration**
- Execute required offchain actions for passed proposals, including agreements and payments
- Manage compliance documentation and secure storage
- Oversee offchain assets and infrastructure such as domains and service accounts
- Coordinate with registered agent and external vendors
- Ensure administrator actions reflect the intent and scope of passed proposals
**Community Transparency**
- Answer contributor questions about compliance and legal processes
- Publish updates, resources, and best practices
- Provide compliance insights to Veto Administrators when needed
The above work enables smooth operations, reduces legal and tax exposure, and ensures the DAO remains transparent and accountable to its contributors.
---
## Administrator Duties
The Administrator shall fulfill certain administrative or operational tasks required by the DAO by exercising only the powers, rights, and privileges as specifically enumerated via proposals passed by Nouns DAO, including this proposal and the Bylaws set forth in [Proposal 727](https://nouns.wtf/vote/727). The Reserve Administrator acts as an alternate to the Compliance Administrator, ensuring consistent fulfillment of compliance duties and providing advisory support as needed.
Per Nouns DAO [Proposal 662](https://nouns.wtf/vote/662), Administrators "will be responsible for making sure taxes are filed, overseeing KYC of grants, and making sure vetoers are aware of potentially problematic proposals" as main priorities. In accordance with this, the Compliance Administrator's duties shall include:
1. Reviewing each DAO proposal for compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the DAO's governing principles. Compliance includes:
a) Tax compliance and confirming receipt of W9 or W8 tax information for grant recipients prior to disbursement of funds.
b) OFAC/Sanctions compliance by confirming there is an operational wallet check process.
c) Compliance with applicable laws and regulations (e.g. ensuring no illegal activity is included in a proposal).
The Compliance Administrator shall signal the state of compliance for each proposal using available DAO tools/clients. If the Compliance Administrator deems that a veto should be used on a proposal due to non-compliance or other existential risk to the DAO, they will inform the Veto Administrators promptly for their review. This is a recommendation only and shall not bind the Veto Administrators in any way.
Additionally, the Compliance Administrator shall have the authority to take all necessary action to ensure compliance with such applicable laws or regulations, including but not limited to notifying the DAO of regulatory or legal risks, notifying the Veto Administrator(s), or engaging outside legal counsel and advisors.
2. The Compliance Administrator may coordinate the contracting of a Registered Agent as allows by the **[Wyoming DUNA Act](https://wyoleg.gov/2024/Enroll/SF0050.pdf)**, 17-32-110 "Appointment of agent to receive service of process", and serve as the contact for said agent.
3. The Compliance Administrator shall be responsible for contracting legal and tax professionals, ensuring that taxes are filed, and serving as the DAO's contact with said professionals and related contractors.
4. The Compliance Administrator shall be responsible for the legal enactment of any proposals passed by the DAO such as the execution of contracts or agreements, the opening of bank accounts, or the facilitation of payments of DAO debts or liabilities.
5. The Compliance Administrator shall be responsible for communicating relevant DUNA information to DAO members and facilitating requests for information. Whenever possible under law, information will be made publicly available, preferably onchain.
## Administrators' Participation in DAO Activities
During the Administrator's term, to ensure clarity, the Administrator will refrain from voting with their own Nouns and will use a separate administrator wallet to signal whether a proposal is in compliance. They will not vote FOR or AGAINST any proposal, but will communicate on-chain in regards to compliance. They will retain all other rights as a member of the DAO.
Additionally, the Compliance Administrators will avoid voting on Nouns DAO proposals in any subdaos or meta-governance during their term.
The Compliance Administrators may however submit any proposals needed to further the authorized activities noted in this proposal or as needed.
## Opening of Bank Accounts for Fiat Payment Processing
In order to facilitate payments that can not be made directly in crypto via proposal, the Compliance Administrator will be authorized by this proposal to open a bank account for this purpose. The Compliance Administrator may only pay any specific DAO service providers or bills if authorized to do so via a DAO proposal.
## Indemnification
The DAO shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Compliance Administrator for any debt, obligation or other liability incurred in the course of activities on behalf of the DAO. Note any limitations that may be found in the **[Wyoming DUNA Act](https://wyoleg.gov/2024/Enroll/SF0050.pdf)**.
## Term
The intended terms for the Compliance Administrator roles under this process are 1 year from the beginning of their compensation streams. The DAO may adjust this term via proposal to remove/replace any Compliance Administrators. Note: Administrators are independent contractors and not employees of the DAO.
## Additional Governing Documents
Relevant information may also be found in the **[Wyoming DUNA Act](https://wyoleg.gov/2024/Enroll/SF0050.pdf)**, The Bylaws and any proposals passed by the DAO may alter the duties and responsibilities of the Administrator or limit the authorization of Administrator to act.
## DUNA Admin Payment and Administrator Agreement
In the [DUNA proposal passed by the DAO](https://nouns.wtf/vote/662), an annual budget of $200,000 USDC was set aside for Administrator compensation.
The proposed compensation for each role as Compliance Administrator will be $100,000 paid via stream ($8,333.33 USDC per month). This stream will be cancellable upon the passage of a proposal to remove and/or replace the Compliance Administrator.
Administrators will be responsible for the purchase of any E&O or D&O insurance if desired. Any other expenses necessary to execute the Administrator's duties will be submitted for authorization via proposals to the DAO.
Following the successful passing of the Admin Candidate proposals, the DUNA will enter into Administrator Agreements with the two appointees that set forth the proposed compensation and other terms and conditions of their roles as Compliance Administrators.ratify-the-2026-duna-admin-election-process