The Elections Process
Thank you for your interest in UNM Undergraduate Student Government elections! This page is intended to serve as a guide for prospective candidates, and to give others insight into the elections process. The ASUNM Constitution and ASUNM Law Book are the governing documents for the elections process, and the most recent versions can be found on the Governing Documents page of the ASUNM website by clicking here.
The steps explained below are:
Step 1 - Decide to run!
Step 2 - Fill out a packet!
Step 3 - Attend the Candidate Meeting!
Step 4 - Speak at the Endorsement Forum!
Step 5 - Campaign!
Step 6 - Begin your duties!
A note on groups
Step 1 - Decide to run!
If you are interested in being an ASUNM Senator, Vice-President, or President, the current office holders and descriptions of what they do can be found at http://asunm.unm.edu. All positions are dedicated to ensuring that the undergraduate students of UNM have their voices heard, allocating student funds, and improving student life at UNM.
Step 2 - Fill out a packet!
In order to declare your candidacy and allow the Elections Commission to ensure that you are eligible, all required forms in the packet must be filled out. The packet is available from 25 school days before an election until 12 school days before an election. When the packet is available, it will be available for download in the "Forms" tab, and as a hard copy in the ASUNM office (SUB room 1016, bottom floor).
Eligibility requirements: In order to be eligible for a Senate position, a student must be taking at least 6 credit hours, not be on any type of University probation, and have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA (unless the candidate is a first-year student and does not yet have a GPA). Both President and Vice-President must have taken at least 30 credit hours of classes at UNM Main Campus, be currently taking at least 6 credit hours, not be on any type of University probation, and have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Step 3 - Attend the Candidate Meeting!
The Candidate Meeting is required for all candidates. If you can't make it, fill out the Legal Representative Form in the packet, and make sure that whoever you assign to be there in your place is able to make it. If you or your representative aren't there for the entire meeting, you will NOT be allowed on the ballot. The Candidate Meeting is where all candidates are informed of the Campaign Regulations, and their position on the ballot is assigned. Any questions you might have about what is or is not allowed while you're campaigning are answered at the Meeting. Campaign Regulations are laid out in the ASUNM Election Code, available in the ASUNM Law Book.
Step 4 - Speak at the Endorsement Forum!
The endorsement forum is held by the Elections Commission as a way for students and student groups to hear from the candidates and decide which one they want to vote for. Candidates don't have to show up, but it's a good way to speak about any issues you want the student voters to hear your position on. Student groups that wish to endorse a candidate must show up at the forum, and their endorsements will be published in the Daily Lobo. The format has varied in the past, from a set speaking time for each candidate to a debate-style forum. Candidates will be told the format at the Candidate Meeting.
Step 5 - Campaign!
Get yourself out there! Students won't vote for someone they don't know, so it's in your best interest to advertise and talk to students about why they should vote for you. You can talk to groups at their meetings, post fliers, hand out food with info cards, or any other sort of campaigning you can think of—as long as it doesn't break the Campaign Regulations. Each candidate is only allowed to spend a limited amount of money, to make sure that all candidates are on as even a playing field as possible. The Elections Commission will go over the rules of campaigning at the Candidate Meeting, and as long as you follow the rules, you can convince students to vote for you in whatever way you think will get the most votes! Good luck!
Step 6 - Begin your duties!
If you are elected, you will be administered the Oath of Office, and begin serving the students of UNM. Congratulations!
A note on groups:
While some students choose to campaign as part of a group, groups are not part of the official ballot or candidate information. Every candidate must fill out their packet individually, and their names and information will appear on official ASUNM information as an individual candidate. For more information, consult the Law Book or contact the Elections Commission.
