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BYLAW 330: BALLOTING AND COUNTING

01. Mandate

  1. This bylaw shall govern voting procedures, balloting and counting.

02. Right to Vote

  1. Each Member shall be entitled to cast one (1) ballot, except the C.R.O., who shall be entitled to cast a ballot as outlined in Section 09(2).

  2. All votes cast shall be by secret ballot.

03. Voting

  1. Voting shall be conducted at times determined and advertised by the C.R.O.

  2. The C.R.O. shall conduct balloting by any secure electronic means that provides precise and accurate results. For electronic ballots, see Regulation 330.03 - Voting for the procedure.

04. Ballots

  1. For each ballot, the rank order of Candidates shall be decided randomly.

  2. Ballots shall list all Candidates for each position, followed by “None of the Above.”

  3. Where a referendum or plebiscite question(s) is/are on the ballot, the ballot shall list “yes” followed by “no” for each referendum or plebiscite question.

  4. Where a Voter’s intention is clear, that Voter’s ballot shall be counted.

05. Balloting and Counting – Executive, Board of Governors and Councilor Elections

  1. Balloting shall be conducted by preferential voting. See Regulation 330.05 - Elections Preferential Balloting for the process.

  2. Voters shall be entitled to mark as few as zero or as many as all Candidates for any position.

  3. A section of a Voter’s ballot shall be considered spoiled where that Voter has:

    1. indicated the same number for more than one (1) Candidate;

    2. not included the number one (1) next to any Candidate;

    3. indicated more than one (1) number next to the same Candidate;

    4. used non-consecutive numbers; or

    5. left all Candidates in a race unranked.

  4. The process in Regulation 330.05 - Elections Preferential Balloting shall continue for each position until all the Candidates are preferentially declared victorious.

  5. Candidates shall be allocated seats as specified in Regulation 110.

06. Balloting and Counting– Plebiscites and Referenda

  1. The side that receives the greater number of votes shall be declared victorious.

  2. Where both sides receive an equal number of votes, and the C.R.O. is a Member, then the C.R.O. shall cast a ballot.

  3. Where both sides receive an equal number of votes, and the C.R.O. is not a Member, then the result shall be determined by a random or quasi-random method selected by the C.R.O.

07. Secure Handling of Ballots

  1. The C.R.O. shall have secure access to the electronic ballots through the platform providing the electronic ballot.

08. Requirements of the C.R.O

  1. The C.R.O. or at least one (1) D.R.O. shall

    1. supervise the counting of ballots electronically, when necessary;

    2. post final results within two (2) Business Days of all complaints and appeals being resolved;

    3. notify the Speaker of the Students’ Council and President of the Students’ Union of the final results in writing;

    4. for GFC Elections, notify the Vice President (Academic) of the Students’ Union and the GFC Secretary of the final results in writing;

    5. post unofficial results at any time, including during counting; and

    6. store the ballots in a secure place for at least two (2) weeks after completing the last recount.

  2. The C.R.O. shall prepare a paper ballot before the close of voting as if their capacity as C.R.O. did not restrict their voting privileges. 

    1. The C.R.O. shall place this ballot in a sealed and signed envelope and give it to the D.R.O. before any results from an election are available to the C.R.O.

    2. The envelope shall only be opened if the C.R.O.’s vote is required to break a tie. 

    3. If required, a D.R.O. shall open the envelope and oversee the C.R.O. as they implement the tie-breaking mechanism as outlined in Regulation 330.05 - Elections Preferential Balloting.

    4. If this procedure is not followed, the C.R.O.’s ballot will be considered spoiled.

09. Audits

  1. The C.R.O. shall audit the results at any time with the support of the balloting provider.

  2. The C.R.O. shall audit the results if evidence or reports of electoral tampering have occurred and thoroughly investigate any reported tampering.

  3. The C.R.O. shall post the results of any audit within 24 hours of its completion.


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