ASUO ELECTIONS

Election Resources

Any ASUO member may seek to fill a vacant student government leadership position or put forth a ballot measure to appear on the spring election ballot, provided their actions align with ASUO procedures and rules, including the ASUO Election Rules and Timeline.

Candidate Filing

Step into leadership by running for office and becoming a student government leader! Serving in ASUO provides a unique opportunity to shape activities and initiatives that matter to students. ASUO officers, throughout their tenure, develop valuable leadership skills by analyzing issues, solving problems, and engaging with others through public speaking and writing.

• The ASUO President and Vice President act as the primary spokespersons of the student government association, manage public relations, and may veto certain decisions made by the legislative branch. The ASUO President is the liaison between university students and administrators. Individuals in these positions gain skills in leadership, critical thinking, communication, global fluency, and teamwork. Success for these positions demands exceptional communication and critical thinking skills, proficiency in navigating democratic processes, and outstanding analytical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. A strong commitment to public policy, resilience in addressing student-centric issues, coupled with experience in organizational leadership and project management, is advantageous.
• Positions in the legislative branch, including senators and at-large finance committee members, engage in the drafting, debating, and voting on proposed rules, policies, and financial proposals. Senators hold the powers to confirm appointees, craft resolutions, and override specific presidential veto actions. Legislative officers gain skills in leadership, critical thinking, communication, and global fluency. Success for these positions is tied to excellent communication skills, a grasp of team-driven success, experience making decisions based on qualitative data, and the ability to collaborate across diverse backgrounds. 

Any UO student enrolled at least half time who has been assessed the Incidental Fee for the current term or semester is eligible to seek office. Some of the positions are further limited by degree of study. The deadline to file to seek office will occur in mid-March and will be announced soon.

Considering running for office?

1. Decide. Check out the Open Positions and Governance Structure and Positions Guide documents to determine which position you’re interested in. Drop by the ASUO Office or contact us at asuo@uoregon.edu if you’d like to connect with a current ASUO Officer to discuss the different positions.
2. Prepare. Review the Election Rules to gain understanding of the signature collection requirements and process. If the position you are seeking requires the collection of signatures, utilize the appropriate signature collection form to gather signatures from ASUO Members in alignment with Elections Rules. Completed signature forms will be collected at the time a candidate for President or Senate files the Candidate and Manager Filing Form.
   • Candidates for ASUO President, if seeking office without a running mate (ASUO Vice President), must collect at least 200 ASUO Member Signatures.
   • Candidates for ASUO President, if seeking office with a running mate (ASUO Vice President), must work together to collect at least 325 ASUO Member Signatures.
   • Candidates for Senate must collect at least 25 ASUO Member Signatures.
3. Learn. Attend an Optional Filing Workshop or email the Elections Board with any questions you have prior to filing. Filing workshops will occur:
   • Thursday, February 15: 4:30–5:30 p.m. in the ASUO Suite of the EMU
   • Thursday, February 29: 12:30–1:30 p.m. in the ASUO Suite of the EMU
4. File for Office. Complete the Candidate and Manager Filing Form by the deadline of 5:00 p.m. on March 13. You’ll be asked to respond to several questions designed to help voters understand you, your values, and your priorities. You will be invited to either upload a photo or sign up to get your portrait photo taken by a professional photographer. Your responses and your photo will be published in the ASUO Voter Guide. Before you file, you will want to prepare your written responses to these questions:
   • Tell us about yourself [75-word limit]. Include pronouns, place of origin, class standing, degree(s) of study.
   • Describe the three key issues that you've noticed on campus that you hope to improve for students as an elected official. Please list each issue and briefly explain how you hope to improve it [125-word limit].
   • Why are you running for office? [75-word limit]
5. Attend the Mandatory Candidate Town Hall and Candidate Debate. These events will occur:
   • Town Hall: Monday, April 1, 6:00–8:00 p.m., EMU Redwood Auditorium
   • Debate: Tuesday, April 2, 6:00–8:00 p.m., EMU Redwood Auditorium
6. Campaign. Promote your candidacy while adhering to campaign rules and timeline. During the election, broadly circulate the electronic link to vote.

ASUO’s 2024 Winter Term Special Election

In February 2024, ASUO will conduct an off-cycle special election designed to provide an opportunity for the consideration of ballot proposals, referendums, and amendments to the ASUO Constitution which demonstrate an urgency requiring they be passed prior to the end of winter term 2024. The purpose and scope of the 2024 Winter Term Special Election are outlined in a resolution adopted by the ASUO Student Senate on November 29, 2023.

Resolution Calling for a Special Election

Participate in the 2024 Winter Term Special Election

Every member of ASUO is eligible to vote in the election, which is conducted electronically and is coordinated by a group of students called the Elections Board.

The special election polls will open at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 12, and close at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 14. The results of the special election will be posted by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14.

Special Election Resources

Any ASUO member may put forth a ballot measure to appear on the special election ballot, provided the measure aligns with the purpose of the special election and adheres to ASUO procedures and rules, including the special election rules and timelines.

If You Are Pursuing a Referendum:

A referendum involves an approved ASUO officer proposing a ballot measure to ASUO Student Senate, and the required threshold of ASUO Student Senators voting to support it. Constitution Court must approve ballot measure language before ASUO Student Senate may consider a measure.

If You Are Pursuing an Initiative:

An initiative involves the collection of a certain percentage of ASUO member signatures in support of a ballot measure. Constitution Court must approve ballot measure language before signatures may be collected.

• Signature collection may not begin unless and until Constitution Court has approved the proposed ballot measure language.
• The court-approved signature collection form must be used to collect signatures.
• Signatures may only be collected in outdoor spaces as allowed by university policy. Contact the Elections Board for more information.
• Signers must complete all required form fields.
• Duplicate entries will count as one signature.
• Only the signatures of ASUO Members shall count toward the minimum requirement.

Questions? Contact the Elections Board