The Student Government Association is made up of both executive and senatorial positions - all of which are filled by student representatives who are elected for seats available at various times throughout the academic year. SGA is committed to a fair and transparent election process that is open to those interested in leadership and advocacy on our campus. Any fully matriculated UVM undergraduate student may run for a senate seat - regardless of their previous involvement in SGA.
All elections are overseen by the Elections Committee, which is chaired by the Chair of Elections, Nick Bouffard. This committee oversees the promotion, execution, and rules of the elections - and is made up of Senators who are not planning to return to the Senate. For questions, please contact Committee Chair: Nicholas.Bouffard@uvm.edu
First Year Senatorial Elections - 8 Seats
In order to allow new students a voice in their student experience, 8 senate seats are held specifically for First Year students each year. Elections for these seats occur each September. All students are able to vote in this election. To be on the ballot for this election you must obtain an elections packet from the Student Government Office, sign an elections waiver acknowledging your understanding of SGA election rules, and collect 30 undergraduate student signatures. A limit of $50.00 per candidate is placed on all campaign efforts for this election.
Midterm Elections
Occasionally senator seats become available between the fall and spring semesters. If this happens, midterm elections held in January to fill these vacancies. Students running for one of these seats must obtain an elections packet from the Student Government Office, sign an elections waiver acknowledging your understanding of SGA election rules, and collect 50 signatures to be on the ballot. A limit of $50.00 per candidate is placed on all campaign efforts for this election.
SGA President & Vice President Elections
The President and Vice President elections are held late in the Spring semester (March), prior to the Senatorial elections. Each candidate must obtain an elections packet from the Student Government Office, sign an elections waiver acknowledging your understanding of SGA election rules, and collect 250 signatures. Candidates for these positions can campaign together as a ticket, but are not voted on jointly. A limit of $150.00 per candidate is placed on all campaign efforts for this election. A public Presidential and Vice Presidential debate is mandatory for all candidates during the campaign period.
Candidate Platforms for 2020 Elections
Senatorial Elections - 34 Seats
A majority of SGA seats are elected in the Spring Senatorial Elections, which take place in April. During this end-of-the Spring Semester election, 34 seats are available for all class years. These senators will be sworn in in April, and serve until the following April. Students running for one of these seats must obtain an elections packet from the Student Government Office, sign an elections waiver acknowledging your understanding of SGA election rules, and collect 50 signatures to be on the ballot. A limit of $50.00 per candidate is placed on all campaign efforts for this election.
Appointments
Periodically senatorial spots open on the Student Government Association Senate. At this time the Appointments Committee, consisting of the twelve Executive Committee Members of the SGA will read applications, conduct interviews, and formally nominate students to be confirmed by the SGA Senate. For more information reach out to the Vice-President at owen.a.doherty@uvm.edu
What is an Elections Packet?
An elections packet contains rules, regulations, a timeline, and platform information - and officially confirms your run for office.
View a Demo Elections Packet (pdf) →
Election Info Sessions
Interested in running? SGA periodically hosts election info sessions in advance of each election for students to learn more about the process.
Marketing Resources
Trying to get the word out about your run? There are a number of Marketing opportunities in the Davis Center alone that you can use to campaign.