1. Students’ Union Elections in 2014
Headline stats & learning points
Jamie Scudamore

2. This is not whole answer
Elections are seen as the be all and end all when it comes to engagement, they aren’t.
But when it comes to measuring engagement, they are one of the key measures available.
Go to smarter people to talk about democracy.

3. What happened

4. Mean Turnout

5. Expenditure

6. Voting Time

7. What happened?
The Good
Numbers are up!
Fewer complaints and exclusions
More women than ever before*
More data from online voting
Institutions broadly supportive

8. What happened?
The Bad
A lot of hard work for marginal increases
Women still only make up 41% Presidents
Other groups stagnant
Voter coercion/intimidation
Dodgy data

9. The Ugly… 4 out of 5 students don’t care enough to click a button
What happened?
The Ugly…
4 out of 5 students don’t care enough to click a button

10. Issues from 2014 Data sets Mix of online and paper
Mobile Voting Devices
Social media (closed groups)
Endorsements

11. Rules Principles Don’t tear them up every year
If you can’t police it, get rid of it
If you can’t sanction against it, get rid of it
If it has no impact, get rid of it
If you legislate, people think it’s vital
Remember that equality of opportunity is not the same as forcing all candidates to be equal; they’re not!
Usually, the fewer rules, the better!

12. Making elections a positive experience
Annoying Rules
“Coming to the candidate’s briefing is ESSENTIAL. Failure to attend will result in disqualification” (you’ll regret saying that).
“No one can discuss their candidacy prior to campaigning” (doesn’t do anyone any good)
“Incumbents can’t be mentioned/criticised and other sabbaticals can’t express a view”

13. Making elections a positive experience
Yet more annoying rules….
No slates (de-politicising the elections)
No campaigning in the union building (???)
Candidates can spend whatever they want
Deducted votes used as a disciplinary measure
Multiple deadlines

14. What do we do?

15. NUS Elections Support Service
What’s the background?
Independent national body
Provides assurance to institutions that regulatory obligations under Education Act are met
Sharing best practice across the wider movement

16. NUS Elections Support Service
How do we make decisions?
Panel to advise Returning Officer on more complex decisions
Consistency in the ‘big’ decisions – exclusions, re-running elections and conducting investigations
NUS Contact – keeping a familiar face for unions

17. NUS Elections Support Service
How does it work?
Returning Officer announced in September (Emma Powell gone) along with detailed election report – you can still put in data until and of the month!
NUS’ internal panel supported by network of NUS Contacts and Deputy Returning Officers on campus
Maintain link between you and the RO through your NUS Contact – sharing local context and knowledge of rules and regulations