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Home > U-elecT: Elections & referenda for student societies
Green sticky note with the word vote on it against white concrete wall
Home > U-elecT: Elections & referenda for student societies

U-elecT: Elections & referenda for student societies

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UelecT is the online student election/referenda system for student societies at the University of Toronto.

Once registered on U-elecT, Chief Returning Officers (CROs) are invited to attend a CRO Information Session where they will receive an overview of U-Elect, learn about best practices for holding an election on campus, and think about increasing democratic engagement.

These interactive sessions are designed to ensure that CROs get hands on experience with the system and can ask questions they need to proceed in creating their own election.

Important note: The timeline to set up any election is 2-3 weeks. Please start the process as early as possible to ensure your election runs smoothly.

  • Eligibility

    Service Eligibility

    Training is for elected/nominated Chief Returning Officers (CROs) of recognized student societies and course unions.

  • Delivery

    Service Delivery

    CROs are invited to attend an information session once registered.

    Information sessions for 2020-2021:

    • September 1, 1 – 2 p.m.
    • September 9, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
    • September 15, 3 – 4 p.m.
    • September 18, 12 – 1 p.m.
    • October 16, 12 – 1 p.m.
    • January 29, 10 – 11 a.m.
    • February 11, 12 – 1 p.m.
    • February 26, 3 – 4 p.m.
    • March 5, 12 – 1 p.m.
    • March 11, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    CROs may also receive in-person one-to-one U-elecT training.

    The election or referenda is delivered online through U-elecT.

  • Booking and Documentation

    Booking & Documentation

    Steps for a CRO to register their election or referenda on U-elecT:

    STEP 1: Fill out the Voting System Agreement Form and make an appointment for training

    At least three weeks in advance of your election or referenda:

    • Fill out the Agreement of the Chief Returning Officer for Use of the Election System and select the information session you would like to attend.
    • Make an appointment for training with Alexandra Merrick (alexandra.merrick@utoronto.ca).

    The Agreement with corresponding documentation must be completed and received prior to the appointment. The CRO will be required to sign the Agreement before being assigned the role of student leader on U-elecT.

    STEP 2: Login to U-elecT to set up your referendum or election.

    Login to U-elecT using your UTORid and password.

    STEP 3: Set up your referendum or election in U-elecT

    • Add Election or Add Referendum
    • Enter general information for your referendum or election: Title, Description, Finished Message, Start Time and End Time. The CRO can also click the Preview tab to preview the interface as voters will see it when the election or referendum goes live.
    • Add Ballot and Candidate Information: Position, Description, Allow Ballot Spoiling, Randomize Candidates, Candidate Name and Statement. We recommend that you check both Allow Ballot Spoiling and Randomize Candidates. Allow Ballot Spoiling provides the voter with the option to “protest” where no candidate seems suitable. Randomize Candidates changes the order of the candidates on a ballot for each voter. Randomizing order decreases the likelihood that a disproportionate weight will be given to the first (e.g. primacy effect) or last (e.g. recency effect) candidates on a list.

    STEP 4: Select the appropriate voters list(s) and/or add additional lists.

    Your voter list is compiled through ACORN  at the beginning of each semester. If there are voters who need to be added to the voter list, use the Add button to upload an additional list of UTORids.

    STEP 5: Save your referendum or election

    Click Save, and you’re done. Congratulations! Your referendum or election will become available to voters at the Start Time you chose. No changes can be made to the referendum or election once it is in progress.

    Note that the U-elecT system does not notify members of your group about your election or referendum. The CRO is responsible for providing the link voting.utoronto.ca to group members.

    STEP 6: Stop your referendum or election only if absolutely necessary

    The CRO has the option to stop the election once it is underway, but this is NOT recommended – halting an election once it has begun places the integrity of the election at risk. The responsibility for administration belongs to the appointed CRO. The Office of Student Life will not stop or interfere with elections or referenda.

    STEP 7: View results of your referendum or election

    Results will be available to the CRO for three (3) weeks after the elections or referenda are completed. The CRO should download results and report back to their executive as necessary. If assistance is required, the Office of Student Life will only submit results to the CRO.

    STEP 8: In the case of grievance

    The CRO is responsible to uphold the group’s grievance procedures based on the group constitution and/or by-laws. The Office of Student Life does not address complaints resulting from the use of U-elecT. All grievances must be submitted directly to the group’s CRO.

  • Privacy and Policies

    Privacy & Policies

    Appropriate Use of Information and Communication Technology

    Handbook for Student Societies in the University of Toronto 2018-19 (PDF)

  • Considerations and Exceptions

    Considerations & Exceptions

    Note that the system does not currently allow for preferential or ranked voting methods.

     

We support students in formal leadership positions (clubs, groups, representative leaders), students wanting to join clubs and students who want to develop leadership skills.

     

Contacts associated with the service

  • Alexandra Merrick

    Student Life Coordinator, Campus Organizations
    416-978-8040
    alexandra.merrick@utoronto.ca
     
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