Candidates Handbook - Uni of York GSA Elections May 2014

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ELECTIONS MAY/JUNE 2014 CANDIDATES HANDBOOK:

• PRESIDENT

• VICE PRESIDENT (POSTGRADUATE

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT) • GSA TRUSTEES

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CONTENTS

AM I ELIGIBLE? – 3

THE POSITIONS – 4

WHICH ROLE WOULD SUIT ME? – 4

GSA PRESIDENT ROLE DESCRIPTION – 5

GSA VICE PRESIDENT (POSTGRADUATE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT) ROLE DESCRIPTION -7

GSA TRUSTEE ROLE DESCRIPTION – 9

THE ELECTION PROCESS – 10

THE ELECTION TIMETABLE – 10

CAMPAIGNING – 13

HUSTINGS - 14

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS - 15

THE VOTING SYSTEM – 17

CANDIDATES CHECKLIST – 20

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AM I ELIGIBLE? The  positions  that  will  be  contested  in  the  May/June  elections  are:  

• GSA  President  (one  year  term,  full  time)    • GSA  Vice-­‐President  (one  year  term,  part  time)    • GSA  Trustee  (one  year  term,  occasional)    

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THE POSITIONS

Which role would suit me?

All  postgraduates  are  eligible  to  stand  for  election.  The  GSA  President  is  now  a  full  –  time  position  that  begins  at  the  start  of  the  2014/15  academic  year  (September  2014).  With  this  in  mind,  current  master’s  students  and  final  year  PhD  students  are  actively  encouraged  to  stand  for  this  position  in  particular.    

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GSA President Salary: £17500 per annum. Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week. Duration: 1 year. September 2014 – September 2015. Accountable to: GSA Council Responsible for: 3 Vice -Presidents What we need:

• A Speaker –  we  need  someone  that  can  increase  postgraduate  knowledge  of  the  GSA,  its  activities  and  its  successes.

• A Leader –  we  need  someone  who  will  represent  York’s  postgraduate  students  to  the  University,  external  stakeholders  and  the  wider  community,  ensuring  the  needs  and  views  of  Postgraduates  are  considered  in  relevant  decisions.

• A Listener -­‐  we  need  someone  that  is  sensitive  to  the  needs  of  a  diverse  postgraduate  population  and  can  work  with  the  wider  GSA  network  for  the  long  term  benefit  of  postgraduates  in  York.    

• A Learner –  we  need  someone  that  is  proactive  and  has  the  capacity  to  acquire  new  skills  and  can  develop  new  policies.

• An Organizer - we  need  someone  who  is  confident  enough  to  organize,  attend  and  lead  committees  as  well  as  writing  reports  on  issues  that  matter  to  the  postgraduate  community.

What can you gain?

• A  chance  to  shape  the  direction  the  GSA  and  University  are  going  in.  • Experience  of  making  important,  lasting  decisions  that  have  a  direct  impact  on  postgraduate’s  

lives.  • The  opportunity  to  develop  personal  and  professional  networks  • Transferable  skills  such  as  sitting  on  decision-­‐  making  committees  and  report  writing  • Experience  in  leading  democratic  institutions  

Specific Duties:

1. To  represent  the  views,  needs  and  interests  of  postgraduate  students  at  Senior  University  and  GSA  committees.  

2. To  be  the  recognised  leader  and  spokesperson  for  the  organisation  and  the  membership.  3. To  research,  formulate,  write  and  propose  policy  or  strategy,  where  required.    4. To  work  closely  with  members  of  the  University  Senior  Management  Team  as  well  as  other  

stakeholders  to  ensure  that  all  new  policy  and  decisions  are  taken  with  an  understanding  of  the  Postgraduates  view  and  ensuring  coherence  on  policy  where  possible.    

5. To  coordinate  the  work  of  the  GSA  Vice  Presidents  6. To  be  an  active  member  of  the  GSA  Council  and  other  relevant  GSA  structures.  

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7. Coordinate  and  support    Relevant  PG  Networks    8. Provide  feedback  from  postgraduate  students  for  key  players  in  the  university,  the  local  and  

national  community.    9. To  chair  the  PG  Student  Wellbeing  committee  and  GSA  Academic  committee  as  well  as  being  a  

member  of  other  GSA  committees,  where  required.    10. Assisting  the  University  with  departmental  reviews,  ensuring  postgraduates  are  receiving  quality  

teaching,  careers  advice,  supervision  and  support,  where  required.  11. To  act  as  a  signatory  on  the  GSA  bank  account  and  manage  relative  budgets  in  agreement  with  the  

General  Manager  and  GSA  PG  Student  President  12. To  act  as  a  responsible  trustee  and  director  to  the  organisation  

General Duties:

1. To  provide  high  levels  of  representation  to  all  postgraduate  students  2. To  provide  a  high  level  of  constituent  care,  including  being  non-­‐judgmental  and  open-­‐minded  

approach  to  representation  and  support  and  being  considerate  of  the  views  of  others  at  all  times  3. To  provide  timely  updates  and  feedback  to    all  stakeholders,  including  members,    fellow  Officers,  

the  GSA  Staff  and  University  staff  as  required  4. To  signpost  stakeholders  to  relevant  services  and  provisions  5. To  act  at  all  times  as  an  ambassador  for  the  postgraduate  student  body  and  for  the  GSA  6. To  actively  uphold  the  principals  of  the  GSA’s  Officers’  Code  of  Conduct  7. To  take  an  active  role  in  the  GSA’s  campaigns,  activities  and  research  8. To  actively  engage  in  the  compiling  of  GSA  led  reports  9. To  attend  to  the  effective  management  of  petty  cash  and  other  administrative  cash  matters  10. To  act  as  the  secretary  to  the  organisational  committees  as  needed.  11. To  work  in  partnership  with  GSA  Staff.    

Trustee Duties:

1. To  ensure  the  GSA  complies  with  and  fulfils  its  legal  obligations.  2. To  contribute  to  the  development  and  implementation  of  the  GSA’s  strategic  vision.  3. To  engage  in  collective  decision  making  regarding  resources  and  finances  of  the  GSA,  ensuring  

financial  stability.  4. To  ensure  that  staff  of  the  GSA  are  well  supported  and  supervised  so  that  they  may  do  their  job  

efficiently  and  effectively.  5. To  ensure  that  all  decisions  taken  are  in  the  interest  of  postgraduate  students  and  will  not  harm  the  

image  or  reputation  of  the  GSA.    These  lists  are  not  exhaustive.      

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Vice President (Postgraduate Student Engagement)  Salary: £3500 per annum. Hours of work: 8 hours per week. Duration: 1 year. September 2014 – September 2015. What we need:

• A Networker –  we  need  someone  who  can  develop  relationships  with  a  wide  range  of  groups  within  the  postgraduate  community  and  solve  their  problems  with  a  non-­‐judgemental  approach.

• A Motivator –  we  need  someone  who  can  proactively  encourage  postgraduate  involvement  in  GSA  elections,  activities  and  other  relevant  GSA  structures

• A Speaker –  we  need  someone  that  can  increase  postgraduate  knowledge  of  the  GSA,  its  activities  and  its  successes.

• A Team Player –  we  need  someone  who  will  work  with  the  President  and  other  Vice-­‐Presidents  for  the  long  term  benefit  of  the  postgraduate  community.

What can you gain?

• A  chance  to  shape  the  direction  the  GSA  and  University  are  going  in.  • Experience  of  making  important,  lasting  decisions  that  have  a  direct  impact  on  postgraduate’s  

lives.  • The  opportunity  to  develop  personal  and  professional  networks  • Transferable  skills  such  as  sitting  on  decision-­‐  making  committees  and  report  writing  

Specific Duties:

1. To  represent  the  views,  needs  and  interests  of  postgraduate  students  at  university  and  GSA  committees.

2. To  develop  frameworks  for  the  constructive  engagement  of  the  GSA’s  membership  and  to  ensure  that  the  individual  groups  are  represented  within  the  GSA  structures:  

• Part  time  students  • Students  with  dependants  • PGWT  Students  • LGBT  Students  • Gender  Equality  • Racial  Equality  • Students  with  disabilities  • Distance  Learning  students  • International  students  • EU  Students  • UK  Students  

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• College  Tutors  • Recognised  PG  representatives  in  Colleges  • Postgraduate  Taught  Students  • Postgraduate  Research  Students  • Postgraduates  resident  on  campus  • Non-­‐resident  postgraduates  • Course  Representatives  • Professional  students  • Postgraduate  level  visiting  students  • Any  other  identified,  and  agreed,  member  groups  

3. To  be  an  active  member,  and  lead  on  the  management,  recruitment,  function  and      effectiveness  of  the  GSA  Council  and  other  relevant  GSA  structures  

4. Developing  methods  to  manage,  measure  (including  effectiveness)  and  enhance  engagement  with  the  membership,  including  measures  to  ‘close  the  feedback  loop’  

5. Collate  and  provide  feedback  from  postgraduate  students  for  key  players  in  the  university,  the  local  and  national  community.    

6. To  Chair  the  PG  Engagement  committee,  and  be  a  member  of  other  GSA  committees,  where  required.    

7. Coordinate  and  support    Relevant  PG  Networks    8. To  support  the  GSA  PG  Student  President  in  coming  to  decisions  and  representing  the  membership,  

including  acting  on  behalf  of  the  President  upon  request.    9. Assisting  the  university  with  departmental  reviews,  ensuring  postgraduates  are  receiving  quality  

teaching,  careers  advice,  supervision  and  support,  where  required.  10. To  act  as  a  signatory  on  the  GSA  bank  account  and  manage  relative  budgets  in  agreement  with  the  

General  Manager  and  GSA  PG  Student  President  11. To  act  as  a  responsible  trustee  and  director  to  the  organisation  

 General Duties:

1. To  provide  high  levels  of  representation  to  all  postgraduate  students  2. To  provide  a  high  level  of  constituent  care,  including  being  non-­‐judgmental  and  open-­‐minded  

approach  to  representation  and  support  and  being  considerate  of  the  views  of  others  at  all  times  3. To  provide  timely  updates  and  feedback  to    all  stakeholders,  including  fellow  Officers,  the  GSA  and  

university  staff  as  required  4. To  signpost  stakeholders  to  relevant  services  and  provisions  5. To  act  at  all  times  as  an  ambassador  for  the  postgraduate  student  body  and  for  the  GSA  6. To  actively  uphold  the  principals  of  the  GSA’s  Officers’  Code  of  Conduct  7. To  take  an  active  role  in  the  GSA’s  campaigns,  activities  and  research  8. To  actively  engage  in  the  compiling  of  GSA  led  reports  9. To  attend  to  the  effective  management  of  petty  cash  and  other  administrative  cash  matters  10. To  act  as  the  secretary  to  the  organisational  committees  as  needed.  11. To  work  in  partnership  with  GSA  Staff.    

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Trustee Duties:

1. To  ensure  the  GSA  complies  with  and  fulfils  its  legal  obligations.  2. To  contribute  to  the  development  and  implementation  of  the  GSA’s  strategic  vision.  3. To  engage  in  collective  decision  making  regarding  resources  and  finances  of  the  GSA,  ensuring  

financial  stability.  4. To  ensure  that  staff  of  the  GSA  are  well  supported  and  supervised  so  that  they  may  do  their  job  

efficiently  and  effectively.  5. To  ensure  that  all  decisions  taken  are  in  the  interest  of  postgraduate  students  and  will  not  harm  the  

image  or  reputation  of  the  GSA.    These  lists  are  not  exhaustive  

GSA Trustee Salary: Voluntary Hours of work: Minimum of one meeting per academic term Duration: September 2014 – September 2015 What we need:

• Someone  that  can  see  the  bigger  picture  –  trustees  are  not  involved  in  day  to  day  affairs,  but  take  an  overview  of  how  the  Union  is  performing,  both  financially  and  in  delivering  services  to  postgraduates.    

Trustee Duties:  

1. To  ensure  the  GSA  complies  with  and  fulfils  its  legal  obligations.  2. To  contribute  to  the  development  and  implementation  of  the  GSA’s  strategic  vision.  3. To  engage  in  collective  decision  making  regarding  resources  and  finances  of  the  GSA,  ensuring  

financial  stability.  4. To  ensure  that  staff  of  the  GSA  are  well  supported  and  supervised  so  that  they  may  do  their  job  

efficiently  and  effectively.  5. To  ensure  that  all  decisions  taken  are  in  the  interest  of  postgraduate  students  and  will  not  harm  the  

image  or  reputation  of  the  GSA.      This  list  is  not  exhaustive  

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THE ELECTION PROCESS It  is  the  responsibility  of  candidates  to  ensure  that  they  read  and  fully  comply  with  the  Election  Regulations.  These  are  strictly  enforced  and  failure  to  comply  may  result  in  candidates  being  banned  from  campaigning  or  disqualification  from  the  whole  election.  You  should  attend  the  Candidates  Briefing,  Friday  23rd  May,  3pm  in  D/L/116  for  more  information  about  campaign  rules.      The  Elections  Committee  is  available  to  answer  any  questions,  receive  complaints  and  requests  for  official  ruling  and  other  appropriate  queries  during  the  course  of  the  elections.  These  must  be  sent  to  [email protected]        

THE ELECTION TIMETABLE

Please  note  that  some  dates  and  times  relating  to  the  election  are  subject  to  change  and  you  should  check  your  email  regularly  to  be  sure  about  what’s  happening.  Please  send  all  queries  to  [email protected]   Nominations Open – Friday 16th May 12 Noon (Week 4) Nomination  forms  will  be  available  on  the  GSA  website:  www.yorkgsa.org/site/representation.   Election Information Sessions – Thursday 15th May (Week 4) 11am, D/L/036 (Hes. West) Friday 16th May (Week 4) 11am, RCH/017 (Hes. East)  Everything  you  need  to  know  the  GSA  elections  –  current  student  issues,  how  to  nominate  yourself,  the  nomination  form,  the  roles,  how  to  get  elected  and  more….!   Nominations Close – Friday 23rd May 12 Noon (Week 5) Please  note  that  any  late  forms  will  not  be  accepted,  any  difficulties  or  questions  should  be  sent  to  [email protected],  or  come  to  the  GSA  Office  in  Wentworth  W/201.     Candidates Briefing – Friday 23rd May (week 5) 3pm, D/L/116

This  is  a  chance  for  candidates  to  find  out  what  being  a  GSA  Officer  entails.  In  this  session,  you  will  be  made  familiar  with  how  the  GSA  voting  system  works,  be  informed  of  some  practical  aspects  of  campaigning  and  given  some  helpful  tips  on  how  to  run  an  effective  campaign.  This  is  the  opportunity  to  ask  any  questions  you  may  have  about  campaigning,  the  elections  and  the  GSA  roles.    

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 The  GSA  will  use  this  session  to  make  candidates  aware  of  the  Electoral  Regulations  so  it  is  vital  that  candidates  attend  this  session. Start of Campaigning Period – Monday 26th May 9am You  are  not  allowed  to  campaign  before  this  time,  so  please  do  not  put  up  any  posters,  create  social  media  groups  etc.  as  you  will  be  penalised  for  a  breach  of  the  electoral  regulations.  Campaigning  will  then  continue  right  up  until  voting  ends.  It  is  important  to  remember  that  it  is  the  candidates’  responsibility  to  encourage  postgraduate  students  to  vote.      Hustings  will  be  held  on  Friday  30th  May  7pm  (week  6)  –  Wentworth  Edge.  This  is  a  chance  to  tell  people  about  yourself,  your  plans  and  why  they  should  vote  for  you.      Any  publicity  (posters,  social  media  groups  etc.)  must  be  approved  by  the  GSA  prior  to  any  reproduction  or  circulation.  All  posters  must  be  submitted  to  the  GSA  from  Monday  26th  May  9AM.  The  GSA  expects  that  posters  submitted  within  good  time  will  be  available  to  collect  24  –  48  hours  after  submission.      More  information  can  be  found  further  in  the  handbook.   Voting Period – Monday 2nd June 12 Noon – Friday 6th June 12 Noon (week 7) The  ballot  will  be  held  online  so  that  all  postgraduates  have  the  opportunity  to  access  and  vote  in  the  elections.  Full  information  about  the  electoral  system  is  shown  in  the  electoral  regulations  and  will  be  explained  at  the  candidates  briefing.    Voting  will  close  Friday  6th  June  at  12  noon.  Votes  will  be  counted  electronically.      Candidates  are  allowed  to  vote  and  should  remember  to  vote  –  one  vote  can  make  all  the  difference!     Election Results– Friday 6th June 7pm (week 7) – Wentworth Edge The  GSA  will  be  holding  a  results  party  in  Wentworth  Edge  and  results  will  be  announced  throughout  the  evening.  More  information  will  be  available  closer  to  the  time.  Once  the  results  are  announced  they  will  be  posted  on  the  GSA  website,  Twitter  and  Facebook  pages.  In  the  highly  unlikely  event  that  there  is  a  serious  issue  announced  before  the  announcement  of  results  (such  as  a  breach  of  regulations),  results  may  be  delayed  and  candidates  will  be  advised  accordingly  until  a  solution  is  reached.    

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CAMPAIGNING Before you start:

YOUR MANIFESTO, POSTER DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPH MUST BE SUBMITTED TO [email protected] ON MONDAY 26th MAY

The  best  posters  are  ones  that  are  simple,  striking  and  can  convey  your  message  in  few  words.  Make  your  name  visible!      A  manifesto  must  be  no  more  than  500  words  outlining  a  bit  about  yourself,  why  you  want  to  be  a  GSA  officer  and  reasons  why  postgraduates  should  vote  for  you.      We  also  need  a  good  quality  electronic  photo  to  accompany  your  manifesto.  This  must  be  submitted  as  a  .jpg  file.      Nomination  forms  will  be  available  at  ………………………..    from  Wednesday  14th  May  12  Noon,  until  Wednesday  21st  May  12  Noon.    

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Tips for campaigning: Campaign with a SMILE: Simple –  All  voters  want  to  know  is  who  you  are,  what  you  are  running  for  and  why  they  should  vote  for  you.  If  you  keep  the  message  simple,  people  are  more  likely  to  remember  your  message  and  vote  for  you. Memorable –  Make  your  campaign  something  to  remember.  Use  a  catchphrase  and  get  yourself  known!  If  you  are  not  going  to  grab  people’s  attention  then  it  is  likely  they  won’t  remember  and  vote  for  you.  Yet  make  sure  you  are  remembered  for  the  right  reasons! Inspirational –  People  vote  for  someone  they  believe  in.  If  you  are  hardworking,  visible,  and  have  great  ideas,  people  will  support  your  campaign. Likeable -­‐  People  are  more  likely  to  vote  for  you  if  they  like  you.  The  best  way  of  doing  this  is  getting  out  and  talking  (and  listening)  to  voters.    Most  of  all  enjoy  the  campaign  process  –  voters  are  more  likely  to  like  you  if  you  are  having  a  good  time! Energetic –  With  over  4,000  postgraduate  students,  you’re  going  to  have  to  talk  to  a  lot  of  people  you  don’t  know!  Getting  out  on  Campus  and  meeting  postgraduate  voters  will  get  you  more  votes  than  just  putting  up  snazzy  posters.    

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CAMPAIGN MATERIALS Physical materials. All  candidate  publicity  must  be  sent  to,  endorsed,  and  produced  by  the  GSA.  This  is  to  ensure  that  every  candidate  has  equal  access  to  the  same  amount  of  campaign  materials,  making  the  elections  as  fair  as  possible.     Due  to  this,  each  candidate  will  have  two  separate  maximum  allowances:     Campaign Period Voting Period 20 A3 Posters 5 A3 Posters 40 A4 Posters 20 A4 Posters 40 A5 Posters 20 A5 Posters Candidates can request any amount of posters up to the maximum allowance. For example:

Candidate  B  makes  two  requests                          And  one  request  during    during  the  Campaign  Period:                                        the  Voting  Period      10  A3  Posters   10  A3  Posters                               5  A3  Posters  20  A4  Posters   20  A4  Posters     20  A4  Posters  20  A5  Posters     20  A5  Posters     20  A5  Posters  

Candidate  B  has  also  used  both  of  their  maximum  allowances.    

A

Candidate  A  makes  one  request                          And  one  request  during    during  the  Campaign  Period:                                      the  Voting  Period:      20  A3  Posters         5  A3  Posters  40  A4  Posters         20  A4  Posters  40  A5  Posters           20  A5  Posters  

Candidate  A  has  used  both  of  their  maximum  allowances.    

B

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Poster  and  leaflet  designs  can  be  submitted  to  the  GSA  Office  at  [email protected]  from  Monday  26th  May,  9am.  It  is  expected  that  printing  will  take  24-­‐48  hours  and  Candidates  will  be  notified  when  they  can  pick  up  their  materials.      Once  your  publicity  has  been  approved  and  printed,  you  are  free  to  put  it  up  around  the  Campuses.  Please  respect  University  rules  and  the  guidance  of  any  University  staff  in  where  you  can  place  your  posters.  Candidates  may  not  produce  additional  physical  publicity.     Email

• Candidates  may  not  send  emails  relating  to  their  campaigns,  except  to  registered  members  of  their  campaign  team.    

• Each  candidate  will  have  an  opportunity  to  provide  information  to  the  GSA  elections  mailing  list.  More  information  on  this  will  be  covered  at  the  candidate’s  briefing  

Social media. If  you  plan  on  using  social  media  to  promote  your  campaign  you  must  comply  with  the  following  rules:    

• Campaigning  on  social  media  is  acceptable  if  messages  are  openly  available  to  all  students  –  candidates  must  not  in  any  circumstance  post  to  ‘closed’  groups.    

• Any  campaign  groups/pages  must  be  ‘open’  and  a  link  must  be  sent  to  the  Returning  Officer,  who  may  request  administrator  access  and  publish  it  on  the  GSA  access.    

• Candidates  may  not  issue  multiple  invitations  to  an  individual  to  join  an  online  group  • Only  English  language  websites  may  be  used  for  campaigning.    

Candidates must be made aware that any form of intimidation, bullying and harassment is completely unacceptable and against GSA Election Regulations.

Candidate  C  makes  one  request                            And  one  request  during    during  the  Campaign  Period:                                        the  Voting  Period      15  A3  Posters                                                              5  A3  Posters  30  A4  Posters                                     20  A4  Posters  40  A5  Posters                                                                20  A4  Posters  

Candidate  C  has  decided  that  after  their  first  request,  they  do  not  need/want  any  more  posters.  Candidate  is  entitled  to  do  this  as  the  allowance  is  a  limit.    

C

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Candidates  are  also  forbidden  from  campaigning  in  University  accommodation  –  this  includes  putting  posters  up  in  accommodation  blocks,  door-­‐to  door  canvassing,  and  telephone  based  campaigning.      The  Elections  Regulations  are  available  on  the  GSA  website  at:  http://www.yorkgsa.org/user/elections/GSA_Elections_Regs_2013.pdf      Ignorance  is  no  defence  within  the  election  process.  

THE VOTING SYSTEM

The  GSA  uses  the  Single  Transferable  Vote  (STV)  to  elect  its  Officers.      The  STV  is  a  form  of  proportional  representation  which  records  voter’s  preferences  and  is  considered  one  of  the  fairest  and  most  effective  systems  and  is  used  by  the  majority  of  student  unions  and  organisations.  Candidates  do  not  need  a  majority  of  votes  to  be  elected,  just  a  known  ‘quota’  or  share  of  votes  determined  by  the  number  of  voters.      The vote: Voters  will  vote  online  at…………  Each  position  will  be  voted  for  separately.  Voters  select  their  candidates  in  choice  of  preference  –  their  first  choice  is  put  at  the  top  of  the  list,  second  choice  is  put  second  on  the  list,  third  choice  is  put  third  on  the  list  and  so  on  until  the  voter  has  no  more  preferences  or  there  are  no  more  candidates  to  select. The count: When  the  votes  are  counted,  all  electronic  ballot  papers  are  sorted  and  allocated  to  first  preference  candidates  and  the  total  number  of  valid  votes  is  counted. Votes needed to win = amount of valid votes cast +1 (Quota) Seats to fill + 1 The  election  proceeds  according  to  the  following  steps:  

1. A  candidate  who  has  reached  or  exceeded  the  quota  is  declared  elected.  2. If  a  candidate  has  more  votes  than  the  quota,  surplus  votes  are  transferred  to  other  candidates.  

Votes  that  would  have  gone  to  the  winner  go  to  the  next  preference    3. If  no  one  new  meets  the  quota,  the  candidate  with  the  fewest  votes  is  eliminated  and  those  votes  

transferred.    4. This  process  repeats  until  either  a  winner  is  found  for  every  seat  or  there  are  as  many  seats  

remaining  as  candidates  

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Re-Open Nominations (RON) – GSA  elections  also  include  the  option  for  voters  to  choose  ‘Re-­‐Open  Nominations’  instead  of  voting  for  any  or  some  of  the  candidates.  This  means  that  voters  who  disapprove  of  some/all  of  the  candidates  can  express  their  opinion  positively.  Moreover,  it  means  that  candidates  who  stand  unopposed  still  have  to  face  an  election.  RON  operates  in  the  same  way  as  any  other  candidate  in  the  election  and  can  be  made  any  preference  by  a  voter  on  the  ballot  paper.  If  RON  wins  the  election  then  none  of  the  candidates  are  elected  for  that  position  and  the  election  is  re-­‐held  for  that  position. The importance of second- and third- preference votes: Few  elections  are  won  on  first  preferences  alone  and  almost  all  candidates  have  to  rely  on  transfers  to  get  elected,  so  if  you  want  to  be  elected  you  need  to  get  people  who  intend  to  vote  for  other  candidates  to  vote  for  you  as  their  second  or  subsequent  preference. So  remember  that  any  negative  campaigning  against  other  candidates  may  also  harm  your  chances  of  election  as  second-­‐preferences  are  just  as  important  as  first  preferences.  If  someone  tells  you  they  are  voting  for  someone  else,  all  is  not  lost  for  you  as  you  can  always  try  and  get  them  to  vote  for  you  as  second  preference.     Example 20  sporty  (but  democratically  minded)  friends  run  an  election  to  decide  what  sports  to  play.  There  are  5  possible  sports  they  could  play,  but  they  can  only  fit  3  into  their  day.  The  20  friends  have  marked  their  ballot  papers  as  below  (x  =  one  vote).  Note  that  some  of  the  friends  only  have  a  strong  first  preference.    The  sports  are:  Basketball,  Fencing,  Football,  Golf  and  Tennis  

First,  the  quota  is  calculated.  With  20  voters  and  3  winners  to  be  found,  the  number  of  votes  required  to  be  elected  is  6.  

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Votes needed to win = 20 votes cast +1 = 6 votes required. (Quota) 3 Seats to fill + 1 When  the  ballots  are  counted,  the  election  proceeds  as  follows:    

Therefore,  Basketball,  Football  and  Golf  are  elected  as  the  day’s  sporting  activities.    

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Elections Checklist

I have read the checklist! I have realised that I am just what the GSA needs! I have completed the online nomination form at: I have attended the Candidates’ Briefing at: I have read and understand the Election Regulations I have sent my photo, manifesto and poster/leaflet designs to [email protected] I have recorded my ‘60 second manifesto’ I have collected and put my posters up around the Campuses

I have met with postgraduate students and encouraged them to vote I will be attending the results party!