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. 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: Aidan.Doherty@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 Elections Chair, 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 are held in January or February to fill these vacancies. Students running for one of these seats must obtain an elections packet from the Elections Chair, 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 Elections Chair, sign an elections waiver acknowledging your understanding of SGA election rules, and collect 150 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.
Join the moderated debates on Microsoft Teams - Wednesday, 3/31 at 7PM (EST)
Process for Running
- Attend an SGA Information session - available Monday at 8PM (EST) and Wednesday or Thursday at 6PM (EST).
- Complete the SGA Spring Election Waiver to express your interest in running for President or Vice President.
- Collect a minimum of 150 signatures and submit a platform by March 26th to uvmsga@uvm.edu. Upon completing your Election Waiver, the elections chair should reach out with more information about platform expectations - but this demo elections packet (pdf) is a good starting reference.
- Candidates are asked to attend the Virtual Presidential and Vice Presidential debates held on March 29th and March 31st.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to the SGA Election's Chair Aidan.Doherty@uvm.edu.
2021 Candidate Platforms
Voting
Campus-wide voting for the 2021-22 SGA President and Vice president will occur on UVM Clubs from April 1st - 2nd.
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 Elections Chair and sign an elections waiver acknowledging your understanding of SGA election rules to be on the ballot. A limit of $50.00 per candidate is placed on all campaign efforts for this election.
Process for Running
- Attend an SGA Information session - available Monday at 8PM (EST) and Wednesday or Thursday at 6PM (EST).
- Complete the SGA Spring Election Waiver to express your interest in running for SGA Senate.
- Upon completing your Election Waiver, the elections chair should reach out with more information about platform expectations - but this demo elections packet (pdf) is a good starting reference.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to the SGA Election's Chair Aidan.Doherty@uvm.edu.
2021 Candidate Platforms
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Voting
Campus-wide voting for SGA Senate will occur on UVM Clubs from April 8th - 9th.
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 Peter.Lally@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.