University elections

University elections

The University conducts elections for members of Senate and the Academic Board, including:

• the eight (8) elected members of Senate; and
• elected members of the Academic Board.

Elections for members of Senate and the Academic Board are conducted in accordance with the Senate and Academic Board Elections Policy.  This Policy sets out the framework for the conduct of these elections and to ensure the integrity and security of the election processes. 

Senate elections are held every four years (with the exception of our student representatives, which are held every two years).  Academic Board elections are conducted each year and are held as vacancies arise.

Randomisation of the order candidates appear on the ballot paper

Under the Senate and Academic Board Elections Policy, the order candidates appear in the electric voting system is randomised using the method 'Robson Rotation'.  Robson rotation means the Placards are rotated upwards by one position for each new person who visits the Poll provided that person is signed in and a member of the Electorate. The order is remembered for each user and appears constant for each person – which means for example in an election each person sees the ballot the same way regardless of how many times they visit the online Poll. The first person to visit will see the Placards in the default order. The rotation counter is not invoked unless the user is both signed in and an Electorate member. 

Voting system

Optional preferential voting is the system used to elect members to the University Senate.  Section 2.12 prescribes the process for counting votes in Senate elections.