Important Notice
All candidates and campaign teams should read the Election Rules and Bylaws.
The rules are interpreted and updated by the Deputy Returning Officers regularly during the elections period. Changes will be posted below for clarity, and all candidates will be informed of any new interpretations or changes as deemed relevant.
Candidates should check this page and their email addresses for changes.
This page was last updated on 1 March, 2023
The election rules have been approved by the Returning Officer. The staff team and Deputy Returning Officers will be responsible for the administration of the Elections, including rules violations and complaints. Final appeals will be heard by Returning Officer, Scott Quinn.
The Deputy Returning Officers are responsible for ensuring all candidates adhere to these rules. Any questions, concerns, or suspected rule infringements should be sent to SAelect@.
Candidate Support
All candidates are encouraged to refer to the Candidate Wellbeing and How to Campaign guides. For any questions, please email [email protected].
Recent Rule Updates
| Date |
Type |
Section |
Change |
| 1 March 2023 |
Clarification |
1.1 Eligibility |
Ensures that Faculty President eligibility is consistent with by-laws |
| 9 February 2023 |
Rule Change |
5.0 Campaigning |
Updated rules regarding endorsements. |
| 1 February 2023 |
Rules Posted |
All |
Uploaded rules for 2023 General Elections |
Elections Committee
The Elections Committee consists of a Returning Officer, two Deputy Returning Officers, and several Union employees.:
The Elections Committee is comprised only of Students' Association Employees, none of whom may vote or stand in the election.
Returning Officer Rulings (2023)
| Date of Ruling and Link |
Summary of Ruling |
| 1 February 2023 |
Designation of Deputy Returning Officers and associated responsibilities |
FAQs
Can I campaign in person?
Yes. Candidates must comply with all Scottish/UK Government, and University Rules regrading coronavirus safety, but are permitted to engage with students face-to-face in the elections.
Can I print posters or hand out physical materials?
Yes. Candidates are allowed to print and hand out materials; printed materials must be accounted for in the candidate budget.
Can I create my social media before campaigning begins?
If it can be kept private, yes. For example, unpublished Facebook pages and private YouTube videos are fine, since no one else can see them. Twitter and Instagram accounts cannot be made completely hidden, so we ask that candidates only create these pages once campaigning begins.
Can a candidate support another candidate?
Anyone can support any candidate from their personal accounts. However, a campaign page cannot support another candidate. Candidates may not campaign as a slate.
Who can be on my campaign team?
Only ordinary, life, and honorary members of the Students’ Association are allowed to campaign for any candidate. (All matriculated students are automatically ordinary members unless they have opted out.)
Staff at both the Union and the University of St Andrews are not allowed to campaign. Students who also work for the Union or University can campaign only when off duty.
No subcommittees or Societies of the Students’ Association may endorse any candidate using any official website, social media page, mailing list, or general meeting. Sports Clubs in the Athletic Union are also prohibited from making endorsements.