Interested in running for AMS Executive or for Undergraduate Trustee in Winter 2021? Or, are you looking to increase/alter your student activity fees? Check out this page for all the information you need!
What Are AMS Elections and Referenda?
AMS members (that is, all undergraduate and MBA students that pay the AMS Membership Fee) can vote and run for the positions of AMS Executive, Rector, Trustee, and other Faculty Society elections, as well as vote in referenda.
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! Elections occur in the fall (October/November) and winter (January/February) terms every year, however the available positions and groups on the ballot may vary.
2021 Elections
The following positions are available via election:
AMS Executive
AMS Executive teams run as a slate of three, consisting of a President, Vice-President (Operations) and Vice-President (University Affairs). The AMS Executive may only serve one year in office, starting on May 1st in the year of their election. This election occurs every January. If you want to find out more about what the executive does, check out the How to Run guide below!
A “How-to-Run” guide for prospective candidates
Undergraduate Student Trustee
The Undergraduate Student Trustee is an individual elected to serve for two years. The next Trustee election will be in January 2021. To find out more about what the trustee does, click here.
Other Faculty Society Elections
Each of the 11 AMS Faculty Societies have their own rules and regulations for elections. They may operate on the same timeline as AMS elections, or stagger from them. For more information on faculty-specific inquiries, contact members of said faculty society. Find the contact list here.
Winter 2020 Referendum
Referenda, a process whereby the electorate votes to approve or reject student fees and participate in surveys, shall normally be 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
- Binding non-fee related 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.
Information for Winter Referendum groups
For more information on eligibility, see the AMS Elections and Referenda Policy
Timeline of Elections and Referenda:
Running for Executive Information Night: December 2nd 6-7pm
- Ask the current executive questions, as well as get an idea of what you need to know before you run!
January Information Night: January 18th
- Learn the details and process of nominations and campaigning, as well as pick up a nomination package! Nomination packages can be distributed upon request to ceo@ams.queensu.ca
- This information night is for teams inquiring about executive elections, trustee elections and the referendum.
Nomination Period: January 21st – 25th
- Gather the signatures of 2% of AMS members in order to run (or establish/increase fee for referenda groups). This year, all signature counting will be done online. More information will be found in the nomination package.
Validation at AMS Assembly: January 29th
- All candidates who have obtained the minimum required number of signatures must have Assembly approval to be placed on the ballot.
Campaign Period: February 1st to 8th
- One of the most exciting parts of the elections process! Talk to students, distribute your platform (guide found on myams.org/elections) and campaign to be the AMS’ next student leaders!
- Referendum groups can campaign for students to vote yes to their fee during this time
- Prepare for a debate with other executive or trustee candidates (TBD)
Voting Days (February 9th-10th)
- AMS members will vote on fees and the choice of their student leaders for 2021-2022!
- Teams will find out the results after 8pm on the last day of voting
Contact List
Laura Devenny, Chief Electoral Officer
- The CEO is responsible for organizing the logistics, marketing, facilitating the nomination and campaign periods, hearing complaints from teams during the Elections process and responsible for issuing any rulings and/or sanctions pertaining to elections and referenda. Laura can be contacted at ceo@ams.queensu.ca.
Caroline Hart, Secretary of Internal Affairs
- The AMS Secretary is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Elections Team, and for ensuring that the process abides by AMS Policy. If you have any questions related to elections policy or eligibility, contact Caroline at secretary@ams.queensu.ca.
Zachary Galvani, Logistics Deputy
- The logistics deputy helps to facilitate the logistical aspects of the election, including candidate outreach, debate structure, and election information distribution! Zach can be contacted at logistics_deputy@ams.queensu.ca.
Ashley Chen, Finance Deputy
- The finance deputy helps to manage deposits and campaign funds, as well as answer questions pertaining to spending. Ashley can be reached at finance_deputy@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.