Frequently Asked Questions

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When do the Departmental Representative Elections happen?

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The General Elections shall be held at the beginning of the Fall term to elect the Departmental Representatives. The exact dates and times are announced at each election period within the Writ of Election, which must be passed by the Science Society Council.

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Who can run for a Departmental Representative position?

Candidates running for a Departmental Representative position must be Carleton University students within the Faculty of Science. All Candidates must be enrolled in the department for which they are running to represent.

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Which Departmental Representative positions can I run for?
 

The available positions are as follows:

• Two (2) Representatives from the School of Computer Science

• Two (2) Representatives from the Institute of Biochemistry

• Two (2) Representatives from the Department of Chemistry (includes Food Science and Nanoscience)

• One (1) Representative from the Department of Earth Sciences

• Two (2) Representatives from the Department of Health Sciences

• One (1) Representative from the Interdisciplinary Science and Practice Program

• One (1) Representative from the School of Mathematics and Statistics

• Two (2) Representatives from the Department of Neuroscience

• One (1) Representative from the Department of Physics

• Two (2) Representatives from the Department of Biology

• One (1) Representative from the Institute of Environmental Science

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Nomination Period

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When is the Nomination Period?

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At least seven (7) days prior to the date on which polling commences, the Nomination Period shall commence and the Elections Officer shall make nomination forms for each office freely available to regular members.

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How many signatures are needed to run as a Candidate?

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Individuals who are interested in a Departmental Representative position must secure five (5) signatures from students within the department they wish to represent.

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When are completed nomination forms due?

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Completed nomination forms must be submitted no later than the date and time stated on the form, and within the Writ of Elections.

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Where are Candidates prohibited from gaining signatures?

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Candidates may not gain signatures in the following areas:

• Classrooms

• The Library

• Residences

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Obtaining nominations in these places may result in an electoral violation.

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Campaigning Period

 

 

When is the Campaigning Period?

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Campaigning for a position will be limited to the Campaigning Period described in the Writ of Elections.

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What happens if a Candidate is no longer eligible for the office that the Candidate is seeking?

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If a Candidate is no longer eligible for the office that the Candidate is seeking, the Candidate shall be disqualified.

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What happens if a Candidate has violated the the Electoral Rules?

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Candidates shall be disqualified if the Elections Officer has found that the Candidate had violated the Electoral Rules for which the penalty prescribed is the Candidate's removal from the ballot.

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Do I need to submit my campaign materials to the Elections Officer?

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All campaign materials, as well as any costs associated with those materials, must be submitted to the Elections Officer prior to the end of the Campaigning Period. This includes any paid promotions made on any social media platform.

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How do I prove that my costs were within the $100 budget?

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Candidates should be able to prove their costs were within the $100 budget, using receipts. Failure to do so may result in an electoral violation.

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Voting Period

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What are the rules around informing student of the vote?

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Informing students of the vote will be allowed during the Voting Period without personal endorsement or endorsement of others.

• Candidates may tell people to check their emails and encourage them to vote, but may not explicitly say "vote for me" or "vote for Rodney the Raven". 

• Students not running in the election may continue to endorse Candidates without that Candidate receiving an electoral violation.

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How will voting occur?

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Voting will occur online through Carleton University's Senate Office and ballots will be emailed directly to the Carleton emails of all students enrolled in the Faculty of Science.

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How is a Candidate elected to a position?

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A Candidate who receives a majority of the votes is elected to that position.

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Will a breakdown of the votes be provided?

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After the closing of the polls, the Senate Office will send a breakdown of the votes, and the Elections Officer will prepare an unofficial report for release.

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When will the result of the election be made official?

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The results of the election are not "official" until they have been ratified by the Science Society Council at the Annual General Meeting.