Difference between revisions of "General Elections"

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#The Elections Committee will distribute the MIC statement of current policies and procedures to all candidates at a mandatory candidates meeting. It is the responsibility of the candidate to be knowledgeable of what can and cannot be done during the election period. Any questions should be posed to the Chair of Elections or Elections Committee advisors.
 
#The Elections Committee will distribute the MIC statement of current policies and procedures to all candidates at a mandatory candidates meeting. It is the responsibility of the candidate to be knowledgeable of what can and cannot be done during the election period. Any questions should be posed to the Chair of Elections or Elections Committee advisors.
 
#All campaign materials are subject to review and approval by the Chair of Elections and the MIC.
 
#All campaign materials are subject to review and approval by the Chair of Elections and the MIC.
#No publicity may be intentionally distributed or displayed inside campus buildings, except within classrooms or club meeting rooms during candidate presentations. Publicity includes, but is not limited to: t-shirts, flyers, brochures, stickers, or buttons.
+
#No publicity may be intentionally distributed or displayed inside campus buildings, except within classrooms or club meeting rooms during candidate presentations. Publicity includes, but is not limited to: t-shirts, flyers, brochures, stickers, or buttons. Publicity includes, but is not limited to: t-shirts, flyers, brochures, stickers, or buttons.
 +
#Candidates may make classroom presentations with permission from the class instructor or club president. No campaign materials or publicity may be intentionally left or displayed in the room after the presentation. It is the responsibility of the candidates/slate to ensure none is.
 +
#A “no-campaigning” zone exists 40 feet from every outside polling station and the Associated Students office. Candidate/Slate information flyers as well as clothing publicizing any candidate/slate are included.
 +
*Posting and Distribution
 +
#All posting and distribution of materials, billboards and other materials will be done in accordance with current university guidelines and policies. Failure to follow posting and distribution rules may result in
 +
disqualification.
 +
*Debate
 +
#All candidates for A.S. President and Vice President, and only those candidates, will be required to participate in a debate to be administered by the Elections Committee. Time, place and format for the debate will be determined by the Chair of Elections. The Chair of Elections shall moderate the debate and be present throughout it. The format of the debate shall be determined by the Chair of Elections in consultation with the Elections Committee. The Committee may consult with the candidates in determining the format if they choose. No representatives shall be allowed to speak on a candidate’s behalf.<br />
 +
 
 +
== VOTING ==
 +
Balloting:
 +
*Voting in A.S. Elections is limited to current members of the A.S. corporation as designated in the A.S. Constitution, Article III, Section A.
 +
*Any student who is a member of Associated Students and has more than one major in different academic Colleges is allowed one vote in each of the respective College Senate races.
 +
*Membership in the CSUN Associated Students is determined upon presentation of proof of enrollment for the current semester.
 +
*Prior to each general election, the Elections Committee will prepare and publicize (subject to approval by the A.S. Senate) a statement of policies and procedures regarding the use of a third-party provider for online voting.
 +
#The statement will include the method of preparation for official ballots, the security of ballots before and after general elections, and the method for counting ballots including the determination of the outcome of a run-off election through Instant Run-Off voting procedures.
 +
#The A.S. Senate will have the authority to approve the online, third-party provider for elections based on consultation with the Chair of Elections and A.S. Manager for Student Leadership and Productions.
 +
#If for any reason the online voting system ceases to work during the general election, voting may be terminated at the discretion of the Chair of Elections after consultation with the Elections Committee and both Election Advisors. A new online election date would then be scheduled within two (2) calendar weeks of the first election. All results from the first election would be null and void.
 +
*Elections results may be obtained by the Chair of Elections following the close of voting. The Chair of Elections, A.S. Coordinator for Information Technology, the University Advisor to Elections, and the A.S. Manager for Student Leadership and Productions may be in the room while the computer results are being pulled.
 +
*Election results shall be announced by the Chair of Elections at the Elections Reveal event held directly after the close of the official election period.
 +
*Unofficial election results will be posted as available:
 +
#Outside the A.S. Student Leadership Office
 +
#Online at www.csun.edu/as
 +
#Electronically via email to the Daily Sundial.
 +
*Each Spring semester candidates from the USU Election may also be placed on the A.S. Elections ballot.
 +
#The University Student Union is responsible for notifying the Chair of Elections a list of USU candidates for the ballot within twenty-eight (28) calendar days (four weeks) prior to the date of election.
 +
Results
 +
*A majority (50% +1) of the votes cast for the A.S. President/Vice President, or any referenda, recall, special or initiative legislation, or constitutional amendment are required to win the election.
 +
*All other offices will be decided by a plurality vote.
 +
*In the event of a tie in any race, the Instant Run-Off procedure will be used to determine a winner.
 +
*The Chair of Elections will submit a summary of the unofficial election results at the first A.S. Senate meeting, along with a summary report from the University Advisor to Elections. When the A.S. Senate has accepted these two reports, the elections results will then be considered “official”.
 +
Voting Stations
 +
*The Elections Committee, with the approval of the A.S. Senate, will annually prepare procedures for the establishment, security and publicizing of Voter Stations, as well as whether voting compatible devices will be made available.
 +
#Dates, times and locations of Voting Stations, including any hours when voting compatible devices will be available, will be part of the recommended procedures.
 +
#Voting Station information must be included in the general elections calendar each spring.
 +
Club Competition
 +
*To assist in increasing voter turnout, the Chair of Elections shall manage a competition in which clubs/organizations can win a monetary prize.
 +
#The amount of this prize will vary each year in accordance with the Elections Budget allocated in the Annual Allocation Process.
 +
*Filing:
 +
#Prior to each general election, the Chair of Elections, with the assistance of the Elections Committee, will: Establish timelines for applicant clubs and organizations to file an online application form. Announce and publicize an open filling period of at least ten (10) business days (two calendar weeks).
 +
#Clubs and Organizations shall be deemed eligible for the competition if: They are a university-recognized organization. Have an account in good standing with A.S. Accounting.
 +
*A section with the eligible Clubs will be placed on the ballot after all election candidates to give voters the opportunity to vote for a club or organization.
 +
#Voters can only vote for one organization per ballot.
 +
#The top three clubs who receive the most votes shall be declared the winners
 +
#The prizes shall be distributed in a proportion of 3:2:1 to 1st:2nd:3rd places; respectively. Funds will be disbursed to the Club’s Account under the name of the winner.
 +
*Campaigning/Distribution of Materials for Club/Organization Competition:
 +
#All posting and distribution of materials, billboards and other materials will be done in accordance with current university guidelines and policies. Failure to follow posting and distribution rules may result in
 +
disqualification.

Revision as of 16:01, 26 June 2017

AUTHORITY:
This Code is established under the authority of Article XV of the Associated Students Constitution of California State University, Northridge.

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Code shall be to define and outline the procedures governing the Associated Students Elections.

DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS:
This Code shall be effective when approved by a majority vote of the Associated Students Senate.

AMENDMENTS:
This Code may be amended by a 2/3 rds majority vote of the Associated Students Senate.

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS ELECTIONS

  • General Elections
  1. General student body elections will be conducted once a year during the Spring semester in accordance with the A.S. Constitution. A general election will be held no less than six (6) academic weeks or more than ten (10) academic weeks prior to the end of each Spring semester.
  2. All A.S. elections will be conducted over a two-day consecutive period.
  3. The elected offices available will be those defined in Article V, Section 4.C. of the A.S. Constitution.
  4. Candidates and/or their respective campaign manager must attend a mandatory candidate orientation meeting. Failure to do so will result in the candidate being disqualified from running in the election.
  5. In the event that no ticket for President/Vice President receives a majority of the votes cast, the Chair of Elections, A.S. Coordinator for Information Technology, the University Advisor to Elections, and the A.S. Manager for Student Leadership and Productions will utilize Instant Run-Off (or similar) provisions of the electronic voting system to determine the winner.
  6. In the event that no senate candidate receives a plurality of the votes cast, the Chair of Elections, A.S. Coordinator for Information Technology, the University Advisor to Elections, and the A.S. Manager for Student Leadership and Productions will utilize Instant Run-Off (or similar) provisions of the electronic voting system to determine the winner.
  7. A.S. Elections will not include write-in candidates, or abstaining from votes.
  • Special Elections
  1. Special elections shall be held for, but not limited to, the following: A) In the event that the results for an official election are declared null and void, a special election shall be held no sooner than two (2) regular school days and no later than two (2) weeks after the last day of voting was held. B) Upon the successful petitioning to recall any member of the Senate. C) Upon the successful petitioning of initiative legislation.
  2. The A.S. President, with the approval of the A.S. Senate, may call special elections.
  3. Special elections will be conducted in conformity with the general provisions of this Code, the A.S. Constitution, and the university.
  4. The Chair of Elections, in consultation with the A.S President and with the approval of the A.S. Senate, may direct the Elections Committee to establish and publicize particular election procedures for a special election.
  • Recall and/or Initiative Elections
  1. Recall and/or initiative elections will be held in accordance with Article XI of the A.S. Constitution.
  • Referenda
  1. Referenda are questions the A.S. poses to its electorate that, if passed, will result in a specific change or action occurring. These can include the assessment, amendment or repeal of an A.S. fee.
  2. Referenda may be placed on the ballot in an A.S. election by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total voting membership of the A.S. Senate. Action by the A.S. Senate to place a referendum on the ballot must occur not less than twenty-eight (28) calendar days (four weeks) prior to a scheduled A.S. Election.
  3. Any members of the A.S. Senate may submit proposed referenda. They should come to the Senate through the Standing Committees whenever reasonable and feasible.
  • Constitutional Amendment
  1. Constitutional amendments are questions the A.S. poses to its electorate that, if passed, will result in a specific addition, amendment or deletion of language to the A.S. Constitution. Constitutional amendments may not address the issue of an A.S. or University fee.
  2. Constitutional amendments may be placed on the ballot in an A.S. election by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total voting membership of the A.S. Senate. Action by the A.S. Senate to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot must occur not less than twenty-eight (28) calendar days (four weeks) prior to a scheduled A.S. Election.
  3. Any member of the A.S. Senate may submit proposed constitutional amendments. These should come to the Senate through the Standing Committee process whenever reasonable and feasible.
  • Survey Questions
  1. Survey questions are questions the A.S. poses to its electorate for informational purposes only.
  2. Survey questions may be placed on the ballot in an A.S. election by a simple majority vote of the total voting membership of the A.S. Senate. Action by the A.S. Senate to place a survey question on the ballot must occur not less than fourteen (14) calendar days (two weeks) prior to a scheduled A.S. Election.
  3. Any member of the A.S. Senate may submit proposed survey questions. These should come to the Senate through the Standing Committee process whenever reasonable and feasible.

GENERAL ELECTIONS – BASIC PROCEDURES

Filing

  • Prior to each general election, the Chair of Elections, with the assistance of the Elections Committee, will:
  1. Establish timelines for applicants to make a formal declaration of candidacy and to file the online application form.
  2. Announce and publicize an open filing period of at least ten (10) business days (two calendar weeks).
  3. Prepare an electronic elections packet for potential candidates, to include: Official Candidate Application, A letter from the Chair of Elections, The general elections calendar, Candidate eligibility information, Permission form to check candidate’s academic eligibility Voluntary Clean Campaign Pledge, Statement of Financial Disclosure Form, Monetary Donation Disclosure Form, Press Release Agreement, Elections Candidate Agreement.
  4. Ensure that the packet is available via the website by the first day of filing.
  5. Election packets must be filed electronically according to the directions and timetables in the packet. Failure to file according to those directions, as determined by the electronic date and time verification, will result in the applicant being disqualified from running in the election.
  6. No applicant for A.S. office may file for more than one seat.
  7. Tickets: Applicants for A.S. President and Vice President will declare themselves as filing jointly for the respective positions, which will be known as a Ticket. The joint names of each Ticket will occupy one box on the final ballot.In the event of withdrawal or disqualification of either candidate on a Ticket, the remaining candidate shall have until the filing deadline to find a replacement and declare that replacement to the Chair of Elections in writing. Failure to do so before the deadline will result in automatic disqualification from the ballot. Disqualification or withdrawal of either candidate on a Ticket after the filing period through the close of voting on the last day of the election will result in disqualification of the Ticket from the ballot and holding office.
  8. Applicant eligibility will be determined by the Chair of Elections in consultation with the Office of Admissions and Records, the University Advisor to Elections, and the Elections Committee, pursuant to the A.S. Constitution, Article V Section I.A. It is the ultimate responsibility of the applicant to ensure that they are eligible to run for and hold office. The Chair of Elections will advise all applicants of their official determination of eligibility to run within one (1) calendar week of the close of filing. Students are considered applicants from time of filing until eligibility for candidacy has been verified. They are then candidates until the elections results have been accepted by the Senate. Should a candidate be determined ineligible to run due to academics, they may file an appeal by contacting the University Elections Advisor within 3 calendar days of being notified. All candidates must have paid AS fees as part of their tuition in order to be eligible for candidacy.
  9. All candidates and/or their campaign manager are required to attend a mandatory candidate orientation meeting. Failure to attend will result in the disqualification of the candidate from the ballot. The Chair of Elections will present candidates with an overview of the elections process including distribution of the following: 1) Current A.S. Code on Elections. 2) The A.S. Constitution. 3) Current A.S. minimum academic requirements for A.S. Personnel. 4) Copies of the current posting and distribution policies from the Matador Involvement Center (MIC). 5) Paper copies of the Statement of Financial Disclosure form. 6) Paper copies of the Monetary Donation Disclosure form. 7) Online voting information including rules on candidate statements and timelines on the results reveal.
  10. All candidates must attend 2 out of the 3 “mandatory” workshops (see the Elections Calendar).

Campaigning

  • An applicant may begin campaigning once they have officially filed for the election.
  1. Campaigning includes but is not limited to: Online posts. Club, organization or classroom presentations. Printed or distributed materials, billboards or signs of any kind. Website and Social Media Presence.
  2. Any student determined to be ineligible, or who has been disqualified from running must cease campaigning upon notice from the Chair of Elections of ineligibility or disqualification.
  3. Any candidate or Ticket found campaigning prior to being officially recognized by filing for the A.S. elections by the Chair of Elections will be notified to cease campaigning or face being disqualified.

Withdrawals

  • All qualified candidates or Tickets who choose not to participate in the general election must notify the Chair of Elections in writing of their intent to withdraw.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION: WAYS TO RUN

  • Independent:
  1. A candidate may run for A.S. Senate as an individual, unaffiliated with any slate. Such a candidate is an “Independent.”
  2. Slate names may not include “Independent” or “Independents”.
  3. Independent candidates are prohibited from appearing in any campaign literature with any other candidate or slate.
  4. Independent candidates have the option of declaring a campaign manager.
  5. Independent candidates will have the word “Independent” follow their name on the ballot.
  • Slate
  1. Candidates may decide to seek A.S. office as an affiliated group. Such groups are referred to as “Slates”. Tickets for President/Vice President are not considered slates, but may choose to run as part of a Slate.
  2. Each slate may designate one individual who will serve as the “Slate Manager.”
  3. A slate must declare a formal name, which will be used throughout the duration of the campaign. a. Slate names must be approved by the Chair of Elections and with

consultation from both Election Advisors. Slate names must be filed as part of the Slate’s official application to run. Slate applications must include the names of each person to be considered part of the Slate, the formal name of the Slate, and listing an optional Slate Manager. Candidates who fail to file a Slate Statement by the close of filing will not be permitted to campaign as a slate or appear on any literature or the actual ballot as a slate. Slate names may not include “Independent” or “Independents”.

  1. Candidates running as part of a formal Slate will have their slate name follow their name on the ballot.
  • All candidates, as well as campaign/slate managers, are advised and encouraged to consult with the Chair of Elections and Elections Committee throughout the general elections process.

CAMPAIGNING AND PUBLICITY

  • General Policies
  1. All student activities related to elections must be in accordance with both the A.S. Elections Code and all university policies and procedures.
  2. The Elections Committee will distribute the MIC statement of current policies and procedures to all candidates at a mandatory candidates meeting. It is the responsibility of the candidate to be knowledgeable of what can and cannot be done during the election period. Any questions should be posed to the Chair of Elections or Elections Committee advisors.
  3. All campaign materials are subject to review and approval by the Chair of Elections and the MIC.
  4. No publicity may be intentionally distributed or displayed inside campus buildings, except within classrooms or club meeting rooms during candidate presentations. Publicity includes, but is not limited to: t-shirts, flyers, brochures, stickers, or buttons. Publicity includes, but is not limited to: t-shirts, flyers, brochures, stickers, or buttons.
  5. Candidates may make classroom presentations with permission from the class instructor or club president. No campaign materials or publicity may be intentionally left or displayed in the room after the presentation. It is the responsibility of the candidates/slate to ensure none is.
  6. A “no-campaigning” zone exists 40 feet from every outside polling station and the Associated Students office. Candidate/Slate information flyers as well as clothing publicizing any candidate/slate are included.
  • Posting and Distribution
  1. All posting and distribution of materials, billboards and other materials will be done in accordance with current university guidelines and policies. Failure to follow posting and distribution rules may result in

disqualification.

  • Debate
  1. All candidates for A.S. President and Vice President, and only those candidates, will be required to participate in a debate to be administered by the Elections Committee. Time, place and format for the debate will be determined by the Chair of Elections. The Chair of Elections shall moderate the debate and be present throughout it. The format of the debate shall be determined by the Chair of Elections in consultation with the Elections Committee. The Committee may consult with the candidates in determining the format if they choose. No representatives shall be allowed to speak on a candidate’s behalf.

VOTING

Balloting:

  • Voting in A.S. Elections is limited to current members of the A.S. corporation as designated in the A.S. Constitution, Article III, Section A.
  • Any student who is a member of Associated Students and has more than one major in different academic Colleges is allowed one vote in each of the respective College Senate races.
  • Membership in the CSUN Associated Students is determined upon presentation of proof of enrollment for the current semester.
  • Prior to each general election, the Elections Committee will prepare and publicize (subject to approval by the A.S. Senate) a statement of policies and procedures regarding the use of a third-party provider for online voting.
  1. The statement will include the method of preparation for official ballots, the security of ballots before and after general elections, and the method for counting ballots including the determination of the outcome of a run-off election through Instant Run-Off voting procedures.
  2. The A.S. Senate will have the authority to approve the online, third-party provider for elections based on consultation with the Chair of Elections and A.S. Manager for Student Leadership and Productions.
  3. If for any reason the online voting system ceases to work during the general election, voting may be terminated at the discretion of the Chair of Elections after consultation with the Elections Committee and both Election Advisors. A new online election date would then be scheduled within two (2) calendar weeks of the first election. All results from the first election would be null and void.
  • Elections results may be obtained by the Chair of Elections following the close of voting. The Chair of Elections, A.S. Coordinator for Information Technology, the University Advisor to Elections, and the A.S. Manager for Student Leadership and Productions may be in the room while the computer results are being pulled.
  • Election results shall be announced by the Chair of Elections at the Elections Reveal event held directly after the close of the official election period.
  • Unofficial election results will be posted as available:
  1. Outside the A.S. Student Leadership Office
  2. Online at www.csun.edu/as
  3. Electronically via email to the Daily Sundial.
  • Each Spring semester candidates from the USU Election may also be placed on the A.S. Elections ballot.
  1. The University Student Union is responsible for notifying the Chair of Elections a list of USU candidates for the ballot within twenty-eight (28) calendar days (four weeks) prior to the date of election.

Results

  • A majority (50% +1) of the votes cast for the A.S. President/Vice President, or any referenda, recall, special or initiative legislation, or constitutional amendment are required to win the election.
  • All other offices will be decided by a plurality vote.
  • In the event of a tie in any race, the Instant Run-Off procedure will be used to determine a winner.
  • The Chair of Elections will submit a summary of the unofficial election results at the first A.S. Senate meeting, along with a summary report from the University Advisor to Elections. When the A.S. Senate has accepted these two reports, the elections results will then be considered “official”.

Voting Stations

  • The Elections Committee, with the approval of the A.S. Senate, will annually prepare procedures for the establishment, security and publicizing of Voter Stations, as well as whether voting compatible devices will be made available.
  1. Dates, times and locations of Voting Stations, including any hours when voting compatible devices will be available, will be part of the recommended procedures.
  2. Voting Station information must be included in the general elections calendar each spring.

Club Competition

  • To assist in increasing voter turnout, the Chair of Elections shall manage a competition in which clubs/organizations can win a monetary prize.
  1. The amount of this prize will vary each year in accordance with the Elections Budget allocated in the Annual Allocation Process.
  • Filing:
  1. Prior to each general election, the Chair of Elections, with the assistance of the Elections Committee, will: Establish timelines for applicant clubs and organizations to file an online application form. Announce and publicize an open filling period of at least ten (10) business days (two calendar weeks).
  2. Clubs and Organizations shall be deemed eligible for the competition if: They are a university-recognized organization. Have an account in good standing with A.S. Accounting.
  • A section with the eligible Clubs will be placed on the ballot after all election candidates to give voters the opportunity to vote for a club or organization.
  1. Voters can only vote for one organization per ballot.
  2. The top three clubs who receive the most votes shall be declared the winners
  3. The prizes shall be distributed in a proportion of 3:2:1 to 1st:2nd:3rd places; respectively. Funds will be disbursed to the Club’s Account under the name of the winner.
  • Campaigning/Distribution of Materials for Club/Organization Competition:
  1. All posting and distribution of materials, billboards and other materials will be done in accordance with current university guidelines and policies. Failure to follow posting and distribution rules may result in

disqualification.