Election season is upon us at the University of Alberta! This time of year, you’re liable to see an upcropping of posters, campaign volunteers possibly approaching you to talk about the issues, and more buzz around campus in general about who is going to be in charge of your UASU for the next year.
Not only will you be electing your new UASU Executive team, but there are a number of other items and questions up for your review this election season. This week, we’ll be covering some of them in more detail. But today, here is your brief overview of dates and times to know as a voter.
Part One: Your UASU Executive, Board of Governors (BOG) Representative, Plebiscites and Referenda
Today (February 24, 2025) marks the start of campaign period for the General Election. During this period, candidates for the races for the five UASU executive positions and the Board of Governors Representative are going to be campaigning to woo you for your support. For any plebiscite or referendum questions, volunteers on campaigns either for or against each question may also be campaigning. (For more on what plebiscite and referendum questions are, see here.)
Voting days for part one of the election are March 5 and 6. You will be able to vote starting at 9 AM local time on March 5, until 6 PM local time on March 6. A link will be emailed to you, be available on eClass and Canvas, and it’ll be posted on uasu.ca/vote! You will also be able to vote in person (if you like), at a booth in a building near you. Follow us on Instagram for all the details. (We’ll even have some nonpartisan, limited run stickers for you.)
On March 6, after polls close, unofficial results will be announced at the Results Party at Dewey’s. The results announced will not be made official until they are ratified by Students’ Council at their next meeting. This gives candidates an opportunity to appeal the results, if they have a reason to, under Bylaw 320.
Part II: Students’ Council and the General Faculties Council Election
The second part of the general election period is when you vote to elect your representatives on two different bodies: the UASU’s Students’ Council, and the University of Alberta General Faculties Council. Student Councillors on each council represent their respective faculty, similar to how a city councillor represents their ward.
March 13 marks the beginning of the campaign period for this part of the election. During this time, candidates are vying for your support to be your Faculty’s representative on either or both of these Councils. Even though the GFC is not a UASU body, we run the election for its student seats concurrently with Students’ Council to make it easier on you, the voters!
Get ready to vote for your Faculty’s representatives in the same format as Part I: from 9 AM on March 19 to 6 PM on March 20, the link to vote will also be emailed to you, and be available on eClass and Canvas, and it’ll be posted on uasu.ca/vote!
Stay in touch to be informed!
Your UASU is nonpartisan, including and especially during this election period. When it comes to getting all the base info you will need to cast your ballots this year, find it at the following links:
- uasu.ca/vote
- Follow uasuualberta on instagram
- Keep an eye out for special editions of the Flame Newsletter in your inbox (resubscribe here if you're not sure you're getting them)