General Elections

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

1. Prior to each general election, the Chair of Elections, with the assistance of the Elections Committee, will: Establish timelines for applicants to make a formal declaration of candidacy and to file the online application form. Announce and publicize an open filing period of at least ten (10) business days (two calendar weeks). 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.