Get Set for Voting Week
The nominations have closed, the candidates have been announced and the MDXSU Elections are finally here!
From 10am Monday 29th February until midday on Friday 4th March, Middlesex will be buzzing with elections excitement as students vote on who will lead Middlesex Students' Union and represent 18,000 students in 2016/17.
Last year voting was incredibly close, with one election being won by just one vote. When we say that every vote counts, we mean it!
Is this your first time voting in the MDXSU Elections? Read on for all you need to know, or vote now at www.mdxsu.com/vote!
1. You have a vote: use it!
Registered as studying at Middlesex? Congratulations, you get to vote! Voting is really easy, whether you’re sat on the bus or have a few minutes between classes. You can vote online on the go at www.mdxsu.com/vote - just log in and submit your preferences - or visit one of our polling stations in the Quad, Grove, Hatchcroft, MDX House and Williams (open 10am-4pm, and until noon on Friday).
2. Check out the manifestos
Each candidate has the chance to submit a manifesto which tells voters why they want the position and what they want to achieve if they get there. Read individual manifestos online here, or pick a manifesto guide on campus. Remember that the students you elect have the power to change things at the university, so vote for the candidates who will make changes you want to see!
3. Ask questions!
Brimming with questions about a candidate’s manifesto? Want to hear their thoughts on a certain topic? Ask them! Don't miss our Question Time events on Monday 29th February 5-7pm in the Quad and Wednesday 2nd March 12.30-2.30pm in MDX House.
Not only do these events give you the chance to ask all your burning questions in person, they also feature short speeches from the candidates, and not just speeches either… last year we had singing, rapping and stand-up comics. Informative and entertaining.
4. Like voting, campaigning isn't just on campus
As well as all the campaigning on campus - from the banners and posters to flyers and flashmobs - there's plenty to see online. Check out the candidates viral-worthy videos and manifesto-filled Facebook pages, and look out for campaign sneak-peaks on Snapchat. If you’re a Tweeter, remember to follow our Twitter account for updates throughout the week, plus live tweeting throughout our two Question Time events. You can get involved too; tag your elections-related tweeting with #mdxsuelections or #besomebody.
5. Who's your number two?
The MDXSU Elections use the preferential voting system, which means that alongside your favourite candidate you’ll also get to list the other candidates in order of preference (so your first choice will be marked with a ‘1’, your second with '2' etc).
These votes will play a massive part in deciding the winner if nobody wins outright in the first round. Last year the battle for Vice President Health & Education and Science & Technology was won by just ONE VOTE in the seven round of voting - it makes a difference!
6. Don’t want to vote? Vote for RON!
There are lots of incredible candidates to choose from this year, but if there's nobody who floats your vote you can always vote for RON, otherwise known as ‘re-open nominations’. If RON receives the most votes, the election will be rerun and there will be another opportunity for candidates to be nominate themselves.
7. Voting in one election? Vote in all six!
You can vote in as many or as few elections as you choose, though it’s worth remembering that all elected students – from the President to our Student Trustees - will play a key role in leading your Students’ Union, so it’s important you have your say in every election.
8. Be the first to find out the results and join in the celebrations
Come to MDX House from 6pm on Friday 4th March for Results Nights! We’ll be reflecting on all the excitement of the week, giving out awards and of course announcing the all-important results. Click here to find out more.
Ready to vote? Click here to vote online now. To find out more about elections, head to www.mdxsu.com/elections or email us at studentvoice@mdx.ac.uk and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
