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Elections

The Importance of Voting

 
Of course, voting is important, but here are a few reasons why you should vote. If you don't already... 

You decide who makes the decisions on the issues you care about.

It is important for you to have your say, and if you don't then you can't complain about the outcome.

It is OK to leave your ballot blank, spoil it, or (in the UCSU Elections) vote for RON, if you don’t agree/ think the candidates could do better.

It’s your money! You pay for University education and taxes, but do you know how that money is used?

It’s not the case of people voting once, it’s that majority of people don’t vote. Which is a huge issue. If everyone did vote, particularly young people, their voice would be listened to.

Statistically proven that a lower percentage of young people vote, so the candidates will tailor their policies for the older majority. If younger people vote, this will create a shift in policies.

If you don’t think your preferred candidate will win, it is still just as important to vote! It shows the winning candidate what issues they need to focus on during their time in office and how to win your vote next time.

You are privileged to have the right to vote. Other campaigners in history have provided you with the right to vote, like the Suffragettes and those who took part in Peterloo, don’t waste it!

Voting gives you the chance to hold representatives accountable – if you don’t think they are doing their job well, vote for someone who will.

Not voting makes you another statistic, it is presumed that you are uninterested. But turning up and not submitting anything gives a voice to the disengaged.

UCSU Elections

Prefer to learn about UCSU elections via a video? Check out the Officer's Facebook live here
What are they?
UCSU Elections are a time for you to get your voice heard! They allow you to vote for a representative who suits your needs, opinions and ideas best. It happens annually around early March and voting lasts for approximately 1 week; if there wasn’t a clear winner during this period, there will be a Bye-election in September/October.
What are you voting for?
 

Role

Description

Paid/ Volunteer

Activities Officer

Working with students to enhance their campus experience. Activities include:

  • Championing Student-Led Groups
  • Encouraging students to run their own events and activities
  • Chairing the SU’s Trustee Board to ensure the Union provides quality services
  • Working with other representatives to improve the campus experience for students

Paid

Academic Officer

The head of student representation in all academic matters. The role includes:

  • Supporting Academic Reps

Paid

Welfare Officer

Responding to students’ needs and concerns regarding Health & Wellbeing. Responsibilities include:

  • Liaising with students to identify and relieve pressures that impact studies
  • Attending high-end meetings on Wellbeing and Accommodation to raise and resolve student issues
  • Championing students’ needs and issues on Wellbeing to relevant university staff members
  • Sit on University’s Trustee Board as a student voice, and input on how the University should be run

Paid

Campus Representative

 

 

  

NUS Delegate

 

 

RON

RON (Re-Open Nominations) is here if you don’t like the look of any candidates. An easy way to say that you would like to express your ideas, but they are not captured in any of the candidates' manifestos. This is equivalent to spoiling your ballot paper in the general and local elections.

N/A
Timescale

National Elections

Am I eligible to vote?
Coming soon... 
How can I vote?
There are 3 main ways to vote: 
Polling Station
When you vote in person, you will be directed to a local polling station - usually a public building, school or local hall. 
DON'T FORGET YOUR POLLING CARD!!
This will be sent to your home address before an election which will inform you on when and where to vote. 

Postal Vote

Vote by Proxy 

 

Types of Elections
Coming soon... 
Constituencies

A constituency is the specific geographical area that is represented by each MP in the House of Commons. People who live in an MP's constituency are known as their constituents (UK Parliament, 2022).

In the UK, there are 650 parliamentary constituencies each electing their own Member of Parliament (MP)

Campus

Name

Constituency

Party

Carlisle

John Stevenson

Carlisle

Conservatives

Ambleside

Tim Farron

South Lakeland District Council

Liberal Democrats

Lancaster

Cat Smith

Lancaster and Fleetwood

Labour

London

Apsana Begum

Limehouse and Poplar

Labour

Are you a distance learner or living at home to study? Find out what constituency you are here

The General Election: Explained
Coming soon... 

Local Elections

 

FAQ’s

Useful resources and links
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Glossary
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