ABOUT
Why Enter the 2026 Pollies
Hosted by the only bipartisan, nonprofit organization for political professionals, the Pollie Awards set the standard for excellence in the political communications and public affairs industries. Over 250 judges—all fellow campaign pros—evaluate entries based on creativity, innovation and most importantly, political effectiveness. And only the Pollie Awards hold entries to the highest ethical standards. If you want to stand out from the crowd, enter the Pollie Awards today!
AAPC membership is not required to submit an entry; however, AAPC members receive HIGHLY discounted entry fees. Not a member? Click here to join! or contact us at contest@theaapc.org or (703) 245-8020.
WHAT WINNERS HAVE SAID
ABOUT THE POLLIE AWARDS
Film has the Oscars. Music has the Grammys. In politics, our biggest night is the Pollies, and [it] is our highest honor.
2015 Pollie WinnerDean Nielsen, Cerillion N4 Partners
With so many political campaigns and organizations each year, it can often be hard to cut through the clutter and be recognized, especially if you don’t have existing connections. The Pollie Awards allow your work to succeed on its own merits and, should it be deemed worthy, recognized regardless of contacts, name recognition, or media attention.
2020 Pollie WinnerLoren Merchan, Authentic Campaigns
The Pollie Contest is where the rubber meets the road. There is a lot of great talent out there. The Pollie contest is the great equalizer and a fantastic networking opportunity.
2019 Pollie EntrantDalton Temple, Hill City Strategies
The Pollie Awards give an opportunity for prospective clients to know that our work is respected on a national level.
2016 Pollie WinnerAmile Wilson, Hapax Creative Strategies
The Pollie Awards is the only political ad competition our firm will enter. For decades now, it's set the standard for excellence.
2019 Pollie WinnerMark Putnam, Putnam Partners
JUDGING
We Are the Gold Standard of Political Excellence
The Pollie Awards are the Oscars of Political Advertising, the most coveted prize in the business of campaigns and advocacy. Each year, the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) honors the most effective, creative, and strategic work shaping elections and public affairs across the nation..
Entries are evaluated by a diverse, bipartisan panel of more than 250 of the industry’s most respected professionals. Our blind judging process ensures that firm names and client identities remain hidden, and judges are recused from reviewing any entries in which they or their firms were involved.
Pollie winners are selected for one reason: excellence that works. Judges evaluate how effectively each entry achieved its goal, supported by creativity, innovation, and flawless execution. Political effectiveness carries the greatest weight, because results matter. At the Pollies, success is not about popularity or name recognition. It is about the power of strategy, storytelling, and persuasion to move voters and shape outcomes.
The judging period will take place from Friday, January 30, 2026 through Monday, February 9, 2026.
TIMELINE
Annual Pollie Awards
The 2026 Pollie Awards Contest opens November 5, 2025 and closes January 26, 2026.
Dec 5
Early Bird Deadline
Jan 23
Regular Entry Deadline
Jan 26
Contest Closes
Jan 30
Judging Begins
Feb 9
Judging Ends
SPECIAL AWARDS
Recognizing the best and brightest young political consulting/public affairs professionals in the U.S.
AAPC's 40 under 40 Awards program recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who are in the political consulting/public affairs profession and contribute to the advancement of the industry. The AAPC is looking for the top 40 professionals whose achievements in political consulting/public affairs deserve to be singled out for excellence early on in their careers and whose conduct is consistent with AAPC's professional code of ethics.
Honoring excellence in campaign strategy and management
The Campaign Excellence Awards are a longstanding tradition of the AAPC and recognize those individuals who have significantly contributed to the success of a candidate or public affairs campaign and whose conduct has been consistent with the Professional Code of Ethics of the AAPC.