Elections

The following information is regarding elections for 2010:

Who is eligible to run?

First-year, sophomore, or junior full-time day students who are not on academic or disciplinary probation are eligible to become candidates for Student Government. All sophomores and juniors who are full-time students and are not on academic or disciplinary probation at Lafayette College and have been elected as a representative in the general election of that year are eligible to become candidates for President and Vice President. Although in the recent past the President and Vice President have had at least a year of experience on Student Government, this is not a firm requirement for candidates.

When are elections?

Elections for representatives for the 2010 year will be held on November 16th and 17th. President and Vice President elections will be held on November 30th and December 1st. See full time line below.

11/9/09: Essay and 100 signatures due underneath the Student Government office door by 5 pm for representative elections. Essay and picture should also be sent to sayboltg@lafayette.edu. Candidates begin campaigning.
11/12/09: “Meet the Candidates” Session (time and place TBA)
11/16/09 – 11/17/09: Online elections for representatives open.
11/18/09: Representatives announced and 1st transition meeting.
11/23/09: President and VP essays due. Candidates begin campaigning.
11/30/09 – 12/1/09: Presidential and Vice Presidential online elections open.
12/2/09: President and Vice President announced and 2nd transition meeting.
12/6/09: Gavel passing and official transition of new representatives.

Once I am elected to Student Government, how are positions decided?

President and Vice President are elected by a student wide vote, two weeks after representative elections. The rest of the positions are decided at the Gavel passing ceremony by internal Student Government vote.

What are the positions?

President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Student Life (2), Academic Affairs, Elections, Student Organizations, Residence Life, Community Affairs, Public Relations, Farinon Student Services, Multicultural Affairs, and Campus Student Services. For a more detailed description, click here.

What is the format of the ballot and voting procedure?

Candidates will only be running against other members of their class year. On the election ballot, voters will be able to choose their top 5 choices for each class. The 5 students from each class with the most votes will be elected as representatives. For President and Vice President elections, the winners are elected by popular vote.

If you have additional questions, please email lafstugov@lafayette.edu and we will be sure to answer them.