If you are a current member of AMA, you will receive a renewal package in October of the year, +/- a couple weeks. (Unless something happens like 2 years ago, that they screw it up or have reasons to change /delay the period. )

This renewal package will contain (or it has for the past significant # of years) a ballot attached to the renewal. The names will be posted for your vote plus a write-in space.
The ballot must be detached from the renewal and mailed to the address on the ballot --NOT AMA.
The business of renewal has nothing to do with the ballot, and vice versa.

Therefore, if you wish to vote, as soon as the letter arrives, detach the ballot, vote, and drop it in the mail.
You do NOT have to renew at that time. Actually, IMO, it's best that you don't renew just then. That will assure you vote procedurally correct and NOT send the ballot back to AMA as thousands of single digit IQs so do each year.[:'(]

edited to include +/- a couple weeks.