Article X: Union Election Procedure

Section 1

At least ten academic days prior to the start of balloting, the Chief of Elections shall communicate to the Union the timeline for elections and shall promulgate the rules and procedures for that election period. At the start of balloting, the Chief of Elections shall communicate to the Union the commencement of an election and shall promulgate appropriate voting instructions.

Section 2

Candidates for office must attend a mandatory candidates meeting and indicate their intent to run for office in accordance with the rules set by the Chief of Elections.

  • (a) Candidates who cannot attend the mandatory candidates meeting may make alternative arrangements at the discretion of the Chief of Elections.

  • (b) Candidacies are not valid until accepted by the Chief of Elections.

Section 3

Candidates shall be allowed to campaign for at least four academic days prior to the start of balloting.

Section 4

Candidates must abide by the following "fair elections" rules:

  • (a) No money may be spent on a campaign by a candidate or their supporters.

  • (b) No libelous or slanderous statements may be made by a candidate or their supporters.

  • (c) No vote may be obtained through a mobile voting station operated by a candidate or their supporters.

    • (i) A mobile voting station shall be defined as any portable device with access to the Student Union voting system.

    • (ii) Elections Commissioners may be permitted to operate mobile voting stations during balloting at the discretion of the Chief of Elections.

Section 5

Failure to observe the provisions of this article or any other provision of the Student Union Constitution and these Bylaws may result in forfeiture of candidacy at the discretion of the Chief of Elections.

Section 6

Should a candidate be disqualified during balloting, the election shall be voided and a new election for that position shall be held. Should a candidate be disqualified after balloting has been completed, a new election for that position shall be held if the disqualification affects the outcome of the ballot.

Section 7

The Chief of Elections and all Elections Commissioners shall not:

  • (a) Release any information pertaining to ongoing elections results, including vote tallies, to parties not involved in overseeing the Election.

  • (b) Provide any advantages to one candidate over another candidate.

Section 8

In the event of no demonstrated interest among constituents of a certain residential area to hold office as a Senator, the Student Union can hold a special election open to the entire undergraduate student body to fill any empty positions.

  • (a) No demonstrated interested is determined by failure to elect a senator for one or more positions in the first round of elections.

  • (b) If a senator is elected under these circumstances, they will be known as a "Community Senator" and represent areas without an elected Senator.

  • (c) This kind of special election can be called by consensus between the Student Union President and the Chief of Elections.

  • (d) Community Senator candidates will be clumped together into a general pool to be voted on by the unrepresented areas.

  • (e) The candidate(s) with the highest amount of votes that align with the number of unfilled spots will be elected as Community Senator(s).

  • (f) The number of spots open for Community Senators is equal to the number of unfilled quad senator positions.

Section 9

Election of Previously Recalled, Impeached, or Removed Union Members:

  • (a) No individual who has been recalled, impeached, or removed from office for any reason shall be eligible to campaign for or be appointed to any Union position for a minimum of one (1) academic year.

  • (b) No individual who has resigned from office after a petition mandating a recall vote for that individual has been certified by the Secretary (as per Article X, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Constitution) or after the Senate has officially announced a motion to impeach or remove that individual at a meeting (as per Article X, Section 2, Clause 2 and Section 3 of the Constitution) shall be eligible to campaign for or be appointed to any Union position for a minimum of one (1) academic year.

 

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