How do I run in the by election?
To nominate yourself for a position, you must complete all the following steps:

1. Ensure that you are eligible for the position you would like to run for.

   Learn more in our FAQ seciton!

2. Get 25 Candidate Signatures:

   Using the provided form, gather signatures of at least 25 other Dalhousie students who support your candidacy, and compile the following:

   • Names

   • B00’s

   • Dal email addresses

   Upload the results to the Nomination Form in the form of an Excel spreadsheet. To collect signatures physically contact dsucro@dal.ca for a template. 

3. Gather Campaign Workers
   (Campaign Workers are optional)
   Gather the following info from your campaign workers:

   • Name

   • B00

   • Dal email addresses

   Unsure what a campaign worker is? Learn more in our FAQ seciton!

4. Record social media pages

   Compile social media pages and handles you will be using to campaign using this template

5. Submit your Nomination:

   When nominations are open submit:

   1. Your completed spreadsheets (2-3 in total)

   2. your nomination information through the online Nomination Form. You will be asked for your:

      1. Name,

      2. pronouns,

      3. B00,

      4. Dal email address,

      5. program/major/year of study,

      6. confirmation that you have read Bylaw 9 and the Elections and Referenda Policy.

6. Attend the appropriate meetings and submit your candidate questionnaire.

   After you submit your nomination, you will also be required to attend the All Candidates Meeting and Anti-Oppression Training, submit a Candidate Questionnaire and, of course, campaign!

Download Elections Schedule pdf here.

___________________________

Key Dates:

• Nominations and Campaign Registrations Open:
  October 17 @8:30AM

• Hybrid All-Candidates Meeting:
  October 22

• Nominations and Campaign Registration Close (all completed forms also due):
  October 23 11:59PM

• Hybrid All Candidates Meeting:
  October 22

• Questionnaire and Campaign Info Forms: October 24 @ 12PM

• Campaign Period:
  Begins October 27 @ 8:30AM

• Deadline for Appeals of the Verification of Nomination (to Elections Committee): October 25

• Campaign Period Ends:Deadline for Candidate to Withdraw:
  November 3 @ 8:30PM

• Voting Period: November 4-5

• Unofficial Results Announced: November 6

• Appeals Deadline: November 7

• Official Results Announced, End of Elections Period: 2 days after Last Appeals Ruling. November 7 (Earliest), November 23 (Latest)

• Complete Elections Period Ends: December 6

Step 1:
Understand the Structure & Rules
Campaign rules can be found HERE!

Before anything else:

• Read the DSU Elections Policy on the DSU website. It covers everything: nomination rules, spending limits, poster restrictions, online campaigning, etc.

• Meet the CRO (Chief Returning Officer).
  They can clarify what’s allowed (e.g., giveaways, social media ads, timing).

• Know the key dates: nomination period, campaign start date, debates, voting days.

Tip: Create a campaign timeline that fits within those deadlines.

Step 2:
Define Your Core Message

Your campaign should revolve around a simple, memorable message that connects emotionally with students.

Ask yourself:

• What your desired position can do for students

• Why are you running?

• How will students’ lives be better if you’re elected?

Boil it down to 1–2 clear promise, then develop supporting goals or actions.

Step 3:
Build your campaign brand
You don’t need to overdo it, but consistency helps people remember you.

Create:

• A short campaign name or slogan

• Visual identity: consistent color palette, & fonts

• Photos: bright, friendly headshot!

Step 4: Build a Team

Even small campaigns benefit from a few helpers:

• Campaign manager (organizes timeline, keeps you on track)

• Communications/social media person

• Outreach volunteers (help post, talk to students, and remind people to vote)

Step 5: Campaign Content & Outreach

Plan how you’ll communicate your message:

• Announce your candidacy + main goals

• Issue posts: each one focuses on a specific topic (affordability, accessibility, etc.)

• Stories/reels: short, authentic videos explaining why you care

• Peer engagement: visit society meetings, tables, and events; talk to students directly

• Q&A sessions: either online (Instagram Live) or informal pop-ups

Pro tip: Use your voice: students engage more with authentic video than text-heavy graphics.

Step 6: Drive Voter Turnout

• Share “How to Vote” posts with DSU voting link

• Ask friends, classmates, and societies to post endorsements

• Make day-of graphics for voting reminders

Step 7: Stay Grounded

• Be respectful of opponents; you might be working with them later.

• Expect fatigue; schedule breaks!

Optional: After the Campaign

If you win that’s amazing!
If not, still follow up. Post a thank-you message, and stay involved!

The relationships you build can help in future elections or advocacy work.

More info coming soon!

Executive Postion Eligibility:

• All students are eligible to run for an executive position, as long as they are a Dalhousie student for the duration of their term.

  General Election: May-April

  By-Election: October - April

  For more information, see Bylaw 4.2

Community Representative Eligibility:

• Council includes a representative for many key communities of Dalhousie students. Eligibility is based on self-identification with a specific community.

  Where membership in a community is through self-identification, theDSU honours a candidate's self-identification and does not request proof of their identity. 

Faculty Representative Eligibility:

• Coming soon

Read through the “ Becoming a Candidate” dropdown at the top of our page, or download the PDF version HERE!

Still have questions, or feeling unsure?
Reach out the the CRO dsucro@dal.ca who is in charge of this year’s election!

See the full Elections Period Schedule HERE. Find an overview of key dates below.

Key Dates:

• Nominations and Campaign Registrations Open:
  October 17 @8:30AM

• Hybrid All-Candidates Meeting:
  October 22

• Nominations and Campaign Registration Close (all completed forms also due):
  October 23 11:59PM

• Hybrid All Candidates Meeting:
  October 22

• Questionnaire and Campaign Info Forms: October 24 @ 12PM

• Campaign Period:
  Begins October 27 @ 8:30AM

• Deadline for Appeals of the Verification of Nomination (to Elections Committee): October 25

• Campaign Period Ends:Deadline for Candidate to Withdraw:
  November 3 @ 8:30PM

• Voting Period: November 4-5

• Unofficial Results Announced: November 6

• Appeals Deadline: November 7

• Official Results Announced, End of Elections Period: 2 days after Last Appeals Ruling. November 7 (Earliest), November 23 (Latest)

• Complete Elections Period Ends: December 6

Executive Position:

• Executive Officers are expected to devote the time and attention to the role as may be required to carry out their responsibilities and meet the objectives of the Union, as outlined in DSU bylaws and policies.

• They are expected to set and maintain regular office hours to be accessible to Members and Union staff. These are full-time, paid positions. See Bylaw 5, the Executive Policy, and section 14 of the Financial Policy for more information.

Faculty & Community Rep Positions:

• Community & Faculty reps are required to attend the appropriate committee meetings they sit on,

• They are required to attend council meetings (monthly in summer term & bi-weekly during fall and winter term)

For more specific information on roles refer to duties under DSU By-laws!

A campaign worker is an individual who has agreed to assist a candidate with campaigning in any capacity. If you are worried about running a campaign all on your own, you do not have to! All you need to do is ask someone if they would be willing to help with your campaign and then submit a list of campaign workers alongside your nomination form. You could have one, a few, or a whole team of campaign workers!

A campaign worker does not have to be a Dalhousie student, meaning you could ask a student from another institution or someone who is not a student. However, Dalhousie faculty, teaching assistants, and all other University staff must not serve as campaign workers. If a campaign worker is employed by the DSU in any capacity they must contact the CRO and inform them of their work. Furthermore, they must not campaign while they are working. Have questions about who can or cannot be a campaign worker? Email dsucro@dal.ca.

Campaign workers must abide by the Elections and Referenda Policy and attend the All-Candidates Meeting.

Contact the Chief Returning Officer, Reid Delaney, with any questions about the elections process.

dsucro@dal.ca