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

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

Learn more in our FAQ seciton!

1. Get 15 Candidate Signatures

• Gather the support of at least fifteen (15) Dalhousie students.

• Collect the following information from each supporter:

  • Full Name

  • B00 (Banner Number)

  • Dalhousie Email Address

  • Signature

• The Nomination Package includes a table for collecting signatures digitally.

• To collect signatures physically, contact dsucro@dal.ca for a template.

2. Gather Campaign Workers (Optional)

• Collect the following information from each campaign worker:

  • Full Name

  • B00 (Banner Number)

  • Dalhousie Email Address

• Unsure what a campaign worker is? Learn more in the FAQ section.

3. Submit Your Nomination

• When nominations open, submit your nomination package online.

• You will be asked to provide:

  • Name

  • Pronouns

  • B00 (Banner Number)

  • Dalhousie Email Address

  • Program/Major

  • Year of Study

  • Confirmation that you have read Bylaw 9 and the Elections & Referenda Policy

  • Support from fifteen (15) Dalhousie University students

4. Attend the All-Candidates Meeting

• After submitting your nomination, you must:

  • Attend the All-Candidates Meeting

  • Attend EDIA Training

  • Submit your Candidate Questionnaire

  • Campaign during the campaign period.

Make sure to read the campaign rules document that will be given to you during the All-Candidates Meeting!

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

Important Dates:

• Nominations Open 

  September 14th @ 8:30am 

• Information Sessions 

  September 14th – 24th 

• Nominations Close (Nomination Forms Due) 

  September 24th @ 4:30pm 

• All-Candidates Meeting 

  September 24th @ 6:00pm to 8:00pm 

• Campaign Period Begins 

  September 25th @ 8:30am 

• All-Members Email 

  September 25th @ 8:30am 

• Candidate Questionnaire Due 
  September 26th @ 12:00pm 

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Campaigning Prohibited) 

  September 30th 

• Debate 

  October 1st @ 7:00pm to 9:00pm 

• Deadline for candidates to withdraw 

  October 5th @ 12:00pm 

• Voting Period Begins 

  October 6th @ 8:30am 

• Voting Period Ends 

  October 7th @ 8:30pm 

• Campaign Period Ends 

  October 7th @ 8:30pm 

• Results, Appeals, and Clean-Up 

  Unofficial Results Announced 

  October 8th @ 8:30am 

Step 1:
Understand the Structure & Rules
Campaign rules will be coming soon!

Before anything else:

• Read the DSU Campaign Rules document & 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.

Do:

1. Submit Documents on time!
   Not submitting important documents by their deadlines will likely result in the revocation of your candidacy!

2. Get all your required signatures.

   Failing to meet your signature quota will cause your nomination to be denied.

3. Attend all required training

   It’s important for your candidacy to complete all required training, and attend appropriate meetings. Failing to do so can result in fines, or revocation of candidacy.

4. Treat other candidates respectfully

   Any form or forms of discrimination and/or harassment will not be tolerated, nor will hate speech rooted in, but not limited to, sexist, racist, classist, ableist, homophobic or transphobic sentiments and/or remarks.

Don’t:

1. Second guess your qualifications!

   If you meet the eligibility requirements for a position and are thinking of running, go for it. You’ll learn along the way!

2. Overspend

   Candidates have access to funds for their election campaign, but can also incur fines during the election period that must be paid. Make sure to spend wisely, as you only have so much!

3. Misunderstand the Position

   Ensure that you understand what position you’re running for, and what its roles are.

   Tailor your campaign to these roles in order to reach the appropriate audience!

______________________________

Common Elections Mistakes:

• Not reading the Campaign rules

  It’s important to know what is and is not allowed during an election. The DSU has rules regarding where and when you can campaign!

• Errors in your Nomination Forms

  Having errors, or mistakes in your nomination forms can lead to disqualification in some cases, or even just a lack of information on your campaign being accessible to voters. Always double check your work before submitting, and ensure that you submit all required forms!

• Not understanding the difference between a Nominee and a Candidate

  When you nominate yourself, your nomination must be approved before you officially become a candidate. If you’re missing certain forms, your nomination may not be accepted and you will not show up on the ballot.

  Keep in contact with the CRO!

Community Representatives are members of DSU Council who brings forward the ideas, concerns, and viewpoints of students within their respective communities.

There are seven (7) Community Representatives, with one representative from each community,

The following Community Representative positions are available in the Fall Election:

• Disabled Students' Community Representative

• Women Students' Community Representative

• International Students' Community Representative

• Residence Students’Community Representative

Faculty Representatives are members of DSU Council who brings forward the ideas, concerns, and viewpoints of students within their respective faculty departments.

There are twelve Faculty Representatives, with one representative from each faculty. The current positions available are:

• Faculty of Agriculture Representative

  • Faculty of Architecture & Planning Representative

  • Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences Representative

  • Faculty of Computer Science Representative

  • Faculty of Graduate Studies Representative

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.

Important Dates:

• Nominations Open 

  September 14th @ 8:30am 

• Information Sessions 

  September 14th – 24th 

• Nominations Close (Nomination Forms Due) 

  September 24th @ 4:30pm 

• All-Candidates Meeting 

  September 24th @ 6:00pm to 8:00pm 

• Campaign Period Begins 

  September 25th @ 8:30am 

• All-Members Email 

  September 25th @ 8:30am 

• Candidate Questionnaire Due 
  September 26th @ 12:00pm 

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Campaigning Prohibited) 

  September 30th 

• Debate 

  October 1st @ 7:00pm to 9:00pm 

• Deadline for candidates to withdraw 

  October 5th @ 12:00pm 

• Voting Period Begins 

  October 6th @ 8:30am 

• Voting Period Ends 

  October 7th @ 8:30pm 

• Campaign Period Ends 

  October 7th @ 8:30pm 

• Results, Appeals, and Clean-Up 

  Unofficial Results Announced 

  October 8th @ 8:30am 

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