Elections
I want to run for
Interested in running in an AMS election or having your club or community group establish a fee through referendum? Check out this page for all the information you need!
What are AMS Elections?
AMS members can vote and run for the positions of AMS Executive (a team of three – consisting of a candidate for President, VP Operations and VP University Affairs), the University Rector, or Undergraduate Trustee! Members also have the opportunity to vote in Faculty Society elections as well.
AMS Executive 2021-22
AMS Elections also facilitates the Referendum process with the establishment of student fees for different clubs and campus groups, as well as the Triennial Review process to extend the fees that appear on SOLUS. There are two periods during which the referendum occurs: October and January.
Elections and Referenda are a great way to get involved and guide the direction of your student government. Whether you want to run for a position or cast a vote, every AMS student has the right to participate and the ability to make a difference. You will see a ballot arrive in your mailbox first in late October, and then late January!
The Rector Election will be held in September 2021. The elections for AMS President, VP Operations or VP University Affairs will be taking place in January 2022. Regular referendums happen in October and January.
Rector Election 2021
AMS Elections 2022
Referendum and Establishing a Student Fee
Referendum and Student Fees
2021 Rector Election
Purpose: On August 25th, join the AMS in welcoming back former Rectors Johsa Manzanilla (Rector ‘06-’08) and Dr. Ahmed Kayssi (Rector 02’-’04) in sharing their experiences in the role and why you should run! They will be joined by AMS President Zaid Kasim, and Undergraduate Trustee Jaya Sharma and AMS Secretariat Laura Devenny to outline how they are planning to work with the Rector this year, and what the elections process will look like. The panel will take place online on 7pm August 25th, and you can join through Zoom (Signup on EventBrite) to ask questions, or watch the livestream on Facebook! See you there!
In case you missed it – access the recording of the event here.
Purpose: The kickoff to the election! Get a sense of what the process looks like, and what you need to do to run. Highly encouraged to attend if you are interested in running.
See below for Recording!
Purpose: The nomination package is the first step to becoming Rector. This year, all signature counting will be done online. More information will be found in the nomination package, released on September 8th and will be found on the website.
Requirements: Gather the signatures of 1% of AMS and SGPS members in order to run.
Candidates must submit a $100 deposit at the time of submission.
Packages are submitted to ceo@ams.queensu.ca.
Candidates will be informed by email prior to AMS Assembly if they have met the nomination requirements.
Purpose: Interact with student leaders, ask questions and confirm your nomination for Rector!
Link: Assembly link will be found on myams.org/elections.
Purpose: One of the most fun parts of the process! Interact with students, debate, interview and post! Make sure to review all pertinent polices before campaigning.
Budget: Candidates will be given a budget of $400, to be reimbursed by the AMS and SGPS.
Purpose: Candidates will debate over Zoom, moderated by the elections team.
Link: Event will be streamed on Facebook and Zoom. More info coming soon.
Link: Students can vote at queensams.simplyvoting.com, or by clicking on the link sent to their Queen’s email.
Announcement: Voting closes at 8pm on October 2nd, results announced later that night!
AMS Referenda
Referenda, a process whereby the electorate (students) participate in surveys, and vote to approve or reject student fees. This is held in both the fall and winter terms along the same timeline as elections. Questions on a referendum ballot may ask the following types of questions:
- To establish, alter or continue student activity fees (more info below)
- Binding, non-fee questions
- Non-binding questions, AKA plebiscite questions, which shall be used to survey AMS members’ opinions or gauge support in relation to a specific issue, policy proposal or advocacy position.
Student fees must be established through one of two referenda, either in the fall or in the winter terms, where all AMS members have the ability to vote. Referenda periods are comprised of four parts – Nominations, Validation by AMS Assembly, Campaigning and Voting.
Establishing or Altering a Student Fee as a Club or Group
In order to apply to receive a student fee for the 2022-2023 year, please complete the packages provided here (validation and budget) and send them to ceo@ams.queensu.ca by September 27th. Referenda voting period is in October.
AMS Referenda October 2021 Dates
Friday September 27th (Validation Packages Due for fall referendum)
Friday October 1st (Referendum info session)
Thursday October 2nd – Tuesday October 6th (Nomination Period)
Thursday October 7th (Validation at AMS Assembly)
Saturday October 9th– Sunday October 17th (Reading Week – Events Paused)
Monday October 18th (Campaign period opens)
Monday October 25th (Campaign period closes)
Tuesday October 26th – Wednesday October 27th (Voting days – online campaigning permitted)
2022 AMS Executive Election
Coming Soon!
Contact the Elections Team
Laura Devenny
Secretary of Internal Affairs
The AMS Secretary is responsible for overseeing the administration of the elections team, and ensuring the process abides by AMS policies and procedures.
Contact: secretariat@ams.queensu.ca
Erica Johnson
Chief Electoral Officer
The CEO is responsible for organizing the logistics, marketing, facilitating the nomination and campaign periods, hearing complaints and issuing rulings and sanctions during the election period.
Contact: ceo@ams.queensu.ca
Alma Mater Society of Queen's University
L’Université Queen’s est située sur les terres traditionnelles des peuples Haudenosaunee et Anishinaabe.