NORTHERNIOWASTUDENTGOVERNMENT
ELECTIONRULES
Section1.IntroductionandDefinitions
A. Title
1. ThisdocumentshallbetitledtheNorthernIowaStudentGovernment
ElectionRules,hereafterreferredtoastheElectionRules.
B. Purpose
1. TheseElectionRulesandthegroupofstudentswhooverseetheelections,
theSupremeCourt,existtomonitorelectionsandassistcandidatesintheir
campaigntorepresentstudentsthroughelectiontothebranchesofthe
NorthernIowaStudentGovernment,orNISG.Thisdocumentandthe
SupremeCourtdeterminetherulesunderwhichNISGwilloperateGeneral
(Spring),Fall,andSpecialElection.
C. Definitions
1. Formalcampaigning
i. Formalcampaigningisdefinedas:
1. Thedistribution,publication,orexhibitionofanymaterial
advocatingthecandidacyofanyindividualorgroupof
individuals;and
2. Communicatingtogroupsofstudentsidentifyingoneselfasa
candidateorcandidacy.
ii. Actionsofformalcampaigningincludebutarenotlimitedto,
makingbuttonsandt-shirtsgenerallyavailable;postingflyers;
holdingpressconferencesorrallies;communicatingtoagroupof
students;creatingpubliclyavailableelectronicsocialnetworking
groups;postingthelocationoforinformationonacampaign
website;issuing/allowingthedisseminationofinformation
throughe-mail,textmessage,postalorcampusmail;etc.
2. Informalcampaigning
i. Informalcampaigningisdefinedas:
1. Creatingstudentorganizationsandholdingmeetingsto
conductbusinessrelatedtoone’scampaign.
2. Answeringquestionsaboutone’scampaign
a. Candidatesshallnotattempttosolicitvotesverbally
untiltheperiodofcampaigning.Solicitingvotesshallbe
consideredformalcampaigning.
3. ElectionDocuments
i. ElectionDocumentsare
1. Applications,petitions,votetallysheets,completedballots,and
anynoteskeptfromSupremeCourtmeetings.
4. NorthernIowaStudentGovernmentOfficeManager
i. NorthernIowaStudentGovernmentOfficeManagerisdefinedas:
1. AnymemberoftheExecutiveBranch-UpperCabinetasdefined
intheNorthernIowaStudentGovernmentConstitution.
2. TheSpeakeroftheNorthernIowaStudentGovernmentSenate
Section2.SupremeCourtRoleastheElectionCommission
A. Title
1. ThegroupofstudentswhooverseeelectionsshallbetheNISGSupreme
Court
B. Purpose
1. TheSupremeCourtistomonitorelectionsandcampaigning,answer
questionsabouttheElectionRules,enforceElectionRules,modifythe
ElectionRules,asneeded,andsettheelectioncalendar.
C. Membership
1. ThefollowingscenariosshallprohibitajusticefromfulfillingtheSupreme
Court’selectionduties.Ajusticememberis:
i. Anindividualwhoispreparingtoorcurrentlyseekinganelected
NISGposition.
ii. Anindividualwhoisaspouseorimmediaterelativeofcandidate(s).
iii. AnindividualwhoisnotastudentoftheUniversityofNorthernIowa
asdeterminedbytheUniversityRegistrar.
2. Justiceswhoareunabletofulfiltheelectiondutiesmayremainonthe
SupremeCourtbuttheyshallhavenovoteorinvolvementwiththe
SupremeCourt’sjurisdictionovertheelections.
D. Conduct
1. SupremeCourtmembersshallnotformallycampaign,support,allywith,or
endorseacandidateorcandidacy.
2. SupremeCourtmembersshallnotencouragevoterstovoteforaparticular
candidateorcandidacywhileworkingatapollingsite.
3. SupremeCourtmembersshalldemonstrateaworkingknowledgeofthe
ElectionRules.
4. SupremeCourtmembersshallnotadviseacandidateorcandidacyon
policy,platform,orprocedure.MembersmayprovidecopiesoftheElection
RulesandcontactinformationfortheSupremeCourtChiefJusticeinthe
eventthatacampaignorcandidacyhasquestions.
E. DutiesoftheCommission
1. MeetregularlyasdeterminedbytheSupremeCourtChiefJusticeandatleast
oncewithinthefirsttwoweeksoftheSpringsemester
2. Justicesmustattendatleastsixoftheeightrequiredelectionmeetingsunless
avalidexcuse(e.g.extremeillness,injury,militaryservice,orfamilyissue)is
giventotheChiefJusticepriortoathirdabsence
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3. TheSupremeCourtshouldremoveandreportallliteraturewhichviolates
theElectionRules
4. Modifytheelectioncalendarasneeded
5. HearandruleoncomplaintsandappealsfromtheStudentBodyand
University
6. DeterminethenumberofSenateseatsforthefollowingyearbasedonthe
Fall10-DayCensusEnrollmentnumbers.
7. OtherdutiesasassignedbyNISGandtheNISGAdvisors
F. ElectionDutiesoftheSupremeCourtJustice
1. OverseetheSupremeCourtinitselectionfunctions
2. Beavailable,uponrequest,tomeetwithanycandidateorcandidacy
regardingelectionrules,campaigning,orotherquestionsregardingNISG
relatedconcerns
3. Acceptcandidatepetitions
4. EnsuretheSupremeCourtisfullatleast4justiceswhoareeligibletovotein
electionmattersasdeterminedbySection2,letterB.
5. ScheduleandleadmeetingsoftheSupremeCourtregardingtheelection
6. OtherdutiesasassignedbythePresidentortheSupremeCourt
G. SupremeCourtmeetings
1. MeetingsoftheSupremeCourtshallbeopentothepublicunlessthe
Commissionvotestoclosethemeetingtothepublic.TheCommissionshould
notsolicitpublicideasduringameeting,unlessotherwisevoteduponbythe
Commission
2. ThemeetingatwhichtheSupremeCourtconvenestocountthecompleted
ballotsshallbeclosedtothepublic
3. TheSupremeCourtwillberequiredtoconvenetwiceduringfallsemester
andsixtimesduringspringsemestereachacademicyear
Section3.General(Spring)Election
A. DurationofCampaigning
1. Campaigningshallstartat8:00AMfifteendaysbeforethedateoftheGeneral
Election.
B. Campaigningshallceaseandcandidatesshouldremovetheirmaterialsafterthe
resultsarereleasedtothestudentsandpress.
C. DateofElection
1. TheGeneralElectionshallbeheldeachyearonthelastTuesdayand
WednesdayofFebruary.
2. ThePollsshallbeopenfor36contiguoushoursorfrom7:00AMonTuesday
until7:00PMonWednesday.
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D. InthecasethatnoPresidentandVicePresidentCandidategetasimplemajorityof
thevotes,therewillbearunoffelectionheldthefollowingTuesdayandWednesday
atthesametimesoftheGeneralElection.
Section4. SpecialElections
A. PurposeofSpecialElections
1. TheSupremeCourtmayholdSpecialElectionsforpurposesstatedinthe
Constitution.IntheeventaSpecialElectionmustbeheld,anysenators
previouslyappointedbytheSpeakeroftheSenatemustruntoretaintheir
seats,asstatedintheNISGConstitution
E. DurationofCampaigningandDateoftheElection
1. TheSupremeCourtshalldeterminethelengthofthecampaigning.
Generally,thelengthofcampaigningshouldbebetweentwoandthree
weeks,andtheelectioncalendarshouldbemodeledaftertheGeneral
Electioncalendar,butthedurationanddateofelectionareatthediscretion
oftheSupremeCourt.Datesofcampaigningshouldavoidweeklong
universityholidays(e.g.ThanksgivingBreakandSpringBreak).
2. TheSupremeCourtshalldeterminethedatetheElectionistobeheld.The
ElectionshallchooseacontiguousTuesdayandWednesdayandshall
attempttoavoidmajorcampuseventsincludingHomecomingand
midterms.ThePollsshallbeopenfor36contiguoushoursorfrom7:00AM
onTuesdayuntil7:00PMonWednesday.TheElectionshouldbescheduled
beforeOctober31stifpossible.
3. TheSupremeCourtChiefJusticemustinformITSandtheRegistrarofthe
electiondatesatleasttwoweekspriortovoting.Week-longuniversity
holidaysshallnotconstituteoneofthetwoweeks.
Section5.AdvertisementofElection–PublicityandPromotion
A. WiththeDirectorofPublicRelations,thefollowingareminimumrequirementsfor
publicityandpromotion:
1. Electiondates,petitionmaterialavailability,datesandtimesofinformational
electionmeetingsandaformofcontactfortheSupremeCourtshallbe
announcedduringaSenatemeeting.Followingthemeeting,anewsrelease
shallbeprovidedtotheNorthernIowan.Thisreleasemayalsobeprovided
tootherlocalmedianewsoutletsatthediscretionoftheSupremeCourt.
2. Advertisingandpromotionsshallbecarriedoutbythestudent-relatedmedia
venuesincludingbutnotlimitedto:KULT-LP,theNorthernIowan,andUNITV.Contentofthesepromotionsshallservetoadvocatethegeneralinterest
oftheelectionforthcoming.
3. TheSupremeCourtshallhavetheoptiontoorganizeoradvertisepublic
President/VicePresidentCandidacydebatesinconjunctionwithinterested
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studentorganizations.AllPresident/VicePresidentCandidaciesaretobe
invitedtoparticipate.
4. TheSupremeCourtshallprovidetheofficialresultsoftheElectionstothe
student-relatedandlocalmediavenuesmentionedelsewhereinthis
document.
Section6.RequirementsforCandidacy
A. MinimumGPAandStudentStatus
1. CandidatesforelectedpositionsmustbestudentsoftheUniversityof
NorthernIowaandmusthaveaminimumCumulativeGPAof2.0.The
candidatemusttakehisorherpetitiontotheOfficeoftheUniversity
Registrarforverification.
B. Petitionforlistingonofficialballot
1. StudentswhowishtobelistedontheGeneralElectionballotforanelected
NISGpositionmustcompleteapetitionformandsubmitthisformtothe
SupremeCourtChiefJusticenolaterthan5:00PMelevendaysbeforethe
dateoftheGeneralElection.Studentswhowishtobelistedontheballotfor
otherelectionsmustcontacttheSupremeCourtChiefJusticetoreceive
officialelectiondates.TheSupremeCourtChiefJusticewillnotaccept
petitionssubmittedaftertheposteddateandtime.
2. Petitionsshallbedistributedwithaninformationalcoversheet,brief
questionnaire,copyofthecurrentElectionRulesgoverningtheElection,
andmultiplesignaturesheets.Studentsrunningforelectionmayrequest,
andtheSupremeCourtmustprovide,copiesoftheNISGConstitution,ByLaws,MauckerUnionMonitorGuidelines,DepartmentofResidence
PostingGuidelines,andUniversityPostingPolicy.
3. Petitionsshallnotbephotocopied,duplicated,orelectronicallymodified.All
petitionssubmittedtotheChiefJusticeshallbeoriginalpetitionsprovidedby
theSupremeCourt.
4. Candidatesshallobtainstudentsignaturesofendorsementfortheir
candidacyinordertohavetheirnameplacedontheballot.Petitionforms
willbeavailableatnofewerthanfourmeetingsheldbytheSupremeCourt.
TheSupremeCourtshallholdatleasttwomeetingstheweekbefore
campaigningstartsandatleasttwoafterthestartofcampaigning.Petition
formsshallalsobeavailablebyappointmentwiththeSupremeCourtNo
petitionformshallbeavailableandacandidateshallnotcampaignuntil
he/shehasreadandsignedastatementguaranteeinghis/herunderstanding
of,andcompliancewith,allElectionRulesandrestrictionstherein.
5. TheSupremeCourtshallholdinformationalmeetingsabouttheelection
process,electionrules,andshallbeavailabletoanswerquestions.
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6. Studentsseekingelectionshallobtainthefollowingnumberofsignatures
beforesubmittingtheirpetition:
i. CollegeSenators
1. CollegeofBusinessAdministration
-25
signatures
2. CollegeofEducation
-25
signatures
3. CollegesofHumanities,ArtsandSciences -25
signatures
4. CollegeofSocialandBehavioralSciences -25
signatures
5. GraduateCollege
-25signatures
6. Undecided/Interdisciplinary/GeneralStudies-10
signatures
ii. President/VicePresidentCandidacy
-150
signatures
1. Atleast25signaturesshouldbefromthefirstfivecategories
listedinSection6,letter6,subsection6,subsectionvi
2. Atleast10signaturesshouldbefromcategory6
(Undecided/Interdisciplinary/GeneralStudies)listedin
Section6,letter6,subsection6,subsection
7. Allsignaturesmustbefromtheconstituencyinwhichthecandidateis
running.
8. Studentsmaywritetheirnameonmorethanonepetition,butmayonlywrite
theirnameoneachpetitiononce.Signersmustberegisteredstudentsofthe
UniversityofNorthernIowa,asdefinedbytheUniversityRegistrar.The
signermustprinthisorhername,major,andphonenumberforverification
purposes.
9. TheSupremeCourtmaycontactanypersonwhowritestheirnameona
petitiontoconfirmthattheyknowinglyandwillinglywrotetheirnameonthe
petition.ItisrecommendedthattheSupremeCourtselectandcontactat
least5personsfromeachpetition
10. PetitionsshallbeavailableforcontrolledviewingintheNISGofficeby
appointmentwiththeSupremeCourtChiefJustice.
11. Intheeventofdiscrepanciesconcerningpetitions,theSupremeCourtshall
convenetoevaluatethenatureoftheconcernanddecideontheappropriate
action.
Section7.CampaigningandCampaignFinances
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A. Campaigning
1. Candidatesareprohibitedfromformalcampaigninguntilthecampaigning
timeperiodhasbegun.Candidatesmayinformallycampaignbeforethe
campaigningtimeperiod.Itisimperativethatcandidateswithquestionsor
concernsaboutcampaigningrulesanddefinitionsmustsubmitquestionsto
theSupremeCourtforclarification.
2. Nocampaigningorcampaignmaterialswillbeallowedwithinthefollowing
places:
i. AnyUniversitycomputerlabsduringpollinghoursexceptfor
announcementsfromtheSupremeCourt.
ii. Officeshousingstudent-managedandoperatedservicesreceiving
StudentActivityfunds,throughlineitemorContingencyallotment.
iii. Theserestrictionsshallnotbeconstruedtodenycandidatesaccessto
advertisingthroughstudentmediaoutlets,nordenythosemediathe
righttoendorsecandidatesandcandidacieswithintheirnormal
printedorbroadcastedmaterial.However,SupremeCourtmembers
shallretainthepowertoenforceotherrestrictionssoastomaintain
theintegrityoftheElection
3. Nocandidateortheirdesignatedrepresentative(s)mayremove,deface,
obscure,ordestroyanypostedcampaignmaterialpriortoorduringan
election.
4. Candidatesshallberesponsibleforfollowingsolicitationpolicieswithinany
buildingswheretheymaybecampaigning.(MauckerUnion,Dorms,etc.)
5. CandidatesshallberesponsibleforfollowingallFederal,Statelawsandlocal
lawsthatmayimpacttheelection
6. Candidatesshallberesponsibleforfollowingallcampuspolicies,andstudent
conductcodeduringthecourseofcampaigning
7. Violationsofabovepolicieswillresultinsanctionsfromtheelection
commission.
8. CandidatesmustfollowpostingguidelinessetforthbytheDepartmentof
Residence,MauckerUnion,AcademicDepartmentsandColleges,andUNI
FacilityServices.
9. NocandidateorsupportershalluseNISGresourcesforthebenefitofa
campaign.ThisincludesbutisnotlimitedtotheNISGoffice,officesupplies,
equipment;equipmentmaintainedintheStudentInvolvementCenteris
subjecttotherulessetforthbytheStudentInvolvementCenter
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B. CampaignFinance
1. CampaignsforPresident/VicePresidentmustnotraiseandspendmorethan
$1,000oncampaignexpenses.CampaignsforSenateseatsmustnotspend
morethan$250oncampaignexpenses.
2. CampaignsforPresident/VicePresidentareallowedanadditional$500ininkinddonations(e.g.goodsandservices,suchasposters)orcampaign
expensesofanysortfromoutsidegroups.Thiswillnotcounttowardthe
spendingcap,butcandidatesmustsubmitreceiptsorestimatesofthe
expensestotheSupremeCourt.
3. CampaignsforSenateSeatsareallowedanadditional$250inin-kind
donations(e.g.goodsandservices,suchasposters)orcampaignexpensesof
anysortfromoutsidegroups.Thiswillnotcounttowardthespendingcap,
butcandidatesmustsubmitreceiptsorestimatesoftheexpensestothe
SupremeCourt.
4. Allcandidaciesandcandidatesmustsubmitexpensereportsandreceiptsfor
allpurchases.SupremeCourtmembersshallnoteanycampaignadvertising
orpublicitynotincludedonthesereports.CampaignsandCandidatesmust
providedocumentationforanyitemsnotincludedonthesereportsifasked
bytheSupremeCourt.
5. AllPresident/VicePresidentCandidaciesshallsubmitexpensereports
completewithreceiptsandsamplesby5:00PMCSTeveryFridaytotheNISG
officeortotheSupremeCourtChiefJusticeAfinalcomprehensiveexpense
reportandanyadditionalreceiptsshallbesubmittedtotheNISGofficeorto
theSupremeCourtChiefJusticewithinfivehoursofthecloseofthepollson
ElectionDay.
6. AllCollegeSenatorCandidatesshallsubmitafinalcomprehensiveexpense
reportandanyadditionalreceiptstotheNISGofficeortotheSupremeCourt
ChiefJusticewithinfivehoursofthecloseofthepollsonElectionDay.
7. TheSupremeCourtshallre-evaluatethespendingcapattheendofeach
electioncycleandshallamendtheserulesasneededtopreventunnecessary
andexcessivespending.
8. InthecaseofarunoffelectionforPresidentandVicePresident,eachofthe
candidacieswillbeabletospendanadditional$250andreceive$250ofinkinddonations.Afinal,comprehensiveexpensereportandadditional
receiptswillbeduetotheNISGofficeortheSupremeCourtChiefJustice
withinfivehoursofthecloseofthepollsonElectionDay.
Section8.StudentVoters
A. VoterEligibility
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1. AllregisteredUniversitystudentsshallhavetherighttovote.Nostudentwill
bedeniedtheopportunitytovote.
2. Votersneedingassistanceduetoadisabilitymayrequesttheassistanceofa
personoftheirchoice.
B. PollingLocationandHours
1. AllUNIStudentsshallvoteusinganelectronicballotatawebsitedesignated
bytheSupremeCourt.Thewebsiteshallbeavailableonandoffcampus.
PollingHours:7:00AMontheprecedingdayuntil7:00PMonElectionDay,asdetermined
inSections3and4oftheElectionRules.Thus,thePollsshallbeopenfor36contiguous
hoursorfrom7:00AMonTuesdayuntil7:00PMonWednesday.
Section9.Ballots,BallotCounting,andAnnouncementofResults
A. Ballots
1. Whenvoterslogintotheelectronicballot,theywillbeaskedtoauthenticate
themselvesusingastandardUniversitylogin.Voterswillbevalidatedagainst
UniversityRecordstodeterminethattheyarecurrentstudentsandtheyhave
notalreadyvotedinthecurrentelection.
2. Eachstudentshallbepresentedwithapersonalizedelectronicballot.This
ballotshalllisteachpositiontobeelectedandallofficialcandidatesforeach
officeforwhichthevoteriseligibletovotein,accordingtoUniversity
records.Theballotshallalsocontainatextboxforeachofficeforwrite-in
candidates.
i. Write-incandidaciesarepermitted,withthenumberofwrite-in
candidatesbeingequaltothenumberofpositionsavailablefromone
constituency.
ii. Ifanameonaballotisincorrectlyspelled,theSupremeCourtmay
determinethevalidityoftheballot.
iii. Allwrite-incandidatesneedtheirnametoappearinatleast5ballots
tobeeligibleforaSenateSeat.
3. Afterfillingoutthevoter’scustomballot,theballotmustbesubmittedin
orderforittocount.Avotermaystopvotingandvoidtheircurrentballotat
anytimepriortofinalsubmission.Studentsshallbeallowedtoreturnata
latertimeandvotewhilethepollsarestillopen.Onceaballothasbeen
submitted,avotermaynotchangehisorherballot.
4. Eachvotermayonlyvoteonceineachelectionandmayonlyusethecustom
ballotgiventothem.
5. Votersmayrequestandcompleteanabsenteeballot.
i. Castingperiodshallbeginoneweekpriortotheelectionandshallend
whenthepollsregularlyclose.
ii. Studentsshallcastawrittenballotcontainingname,allmajors,phone
number,emailaddress,andconstituency.IntheeventthataMember
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oftheSupremeCourtisunavailable,anNISGOfficeManageris
empoweredtoactonbehalfoftheSupremeCourt.
iii. AbsenteeballotsshallbecompletedintheNISGoffice.Once
completedtheballotwillbeplacedwithinanenvelopeandsealedby
thevoter.
iv. Inallcases,theSupremeCourtChiefJusticeshallberesponsiblefor
ensuringballotsecurityandintegrity.TheSupremeCourtshallensure
thatnovotercompletesbothapaperandelectronicballot.The
SupremeCourtisinstructedtoprepareabsenteeandpaperballotsin
caseoftechnicaldifficulties.
6. Shouldtwoormorecandidatesforthesamepositionsharethesamefirstandlast
name,middlenamesshallbeaddedtotheballot
B. ChallengedBallots
1. Ifastudentdiscoversanerroronhisorherballot,thestudenthastheoption
tochallengetheballotbynotifyingtheSupremeCourtChiefJusticebygoing
totheNISGofficeandtellingtheChiefJustice,aCommissionMember,oran
NISGOfficeManagerabouttheerror.
2. Voterschallengingtheirballotswillthenfilloutaseparatewrittenballot
identicaltoothersintheirjurisdiction.
3. Onceastudentchallengesaballot,hisorhervoteswillbeheldinaseparate
filewhiletheSupremeCourtChiefJusticeverifiestheirchallenge.
4. AstudentmaybeaskedtomeetwiththeSupremeCourtwithin24hoursof
theclosingofthepollstoprovideproofofenrollmentforverification.
9. Ifthevoter'schallengeiseligible,allidentificationinformationwillbe
removedfromthechallengedballotandplacedwiththerestoftheballots
priortofinaltabulation.
10. Ifthevoter'schallengeisineligible,theballotfromthatvoterwillremainin
theseparatepoolofballotswiththevotesremainingconfidentialfromall
personsoutsidetheSupremeCourt.Ineligiblevoterswillbenotifiedin
writingconcerningthedispositionoftheirballots.TheSupremeCourtwill
havefinalauthorityovertheacceptanceorrejectionofchallengedballots.
C. BallotCounting
1. TheSupremeCourtChiefJusticeisresponsibleforcoordinatingwith
InformationTechnologyServices&theOfficeoftheRegistrarandverifying
allvotes
2. Atleast2/3ofjusticesarerequiredforballotcountingforeachelection.If
2/3ofjusticescannotbereached,theClerkofCourtcanserveasasubstitute
foronejustice.
3. ShouldtheSupremeCourtChiefjusticedeterminethatadiscrepancyexists,
eitherduetoadiscoveryofhisorherownorduetoinformationreceived
fromanotherpersonoroffice,arecordofthisfactshouldbenotedtolater
determinematerialityofthediscrepancy.TheSupremeCourtshallresolve
alldiscrepanciespriortotheconclusionofballotcounting
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4. BallotsshallcomeunderthefullcontroloftheSupremeCourtChiefJustice.
5. AllElectionDocumentsshallbeavailableforpublicviewingupon
appointmentwiththeSupremeCourtChiefJustice.TheChiefJusticeshall
storeElectionDocumentsforatleastoneyear.Allofficialballotsshallbe
archivedattheUniversityArchivealongwithareportcontainingall
candidatesontheballot,allcandidateswrittenin,allcandidatesthatwon,
andtheamountofmoneyeachcandidatespent.
6. AnoptionofNo-Vote(Ballotwillnotbecounted)shallbeaddedtopresidential
electionballotsforstudentswhowishtonotvote.
7. Allwrite-invotesforpresidentialelectionsshallbecountedinthevotetotal
whencountingtowardsamajority.
8. Onlywriteinvotesforeligiblestudentsshallhavetheabilitytowinanelection.
D. AnnouncementofResults
1. OncetheSupremeCourthasverifiedtheresultsofanelection,an
announcementshallbemadeintheMauckerUnionatthebottomofthe
grandstaircase.Thisannouncementshallincludetheresultsofallpositions,
ExecutiveandLegislative,andreferendums.
2. TheCommissionshallnotifystudent-relatedmediavenuesabouttheresults
oftheelectionviaapressrelease.Thisreleasemaybeprovidedtolocal
medianewsoutletsatthediscretionoftheSupremeCourt.
3. TheCommissionshallmakeanannouncementasquicklyaspossible.In
general,theCommissionshouldnotreleasetheresultsmorethan4hours
afterthepollsclose.
E. ElectionsResultinginaTie
1. Ifthereareonlytwo(2)candidatesinacontestandtheelectionresultsina
tie,thentheelectionshallbererunintheRun-offElection.
2. Iftherearemorethantwo(2)candidatesinacontestandthereisatiefor
secondplaceandifarun-offisotherwiseneeded,thenthefirstplace
candidateandthecandidatestiedforsecondshallallrunintherun-off.The
candidatewhoreceivesthemostvotesintherun-offshallbethewinner,
regardlessofwhetherhe/shereceivesamajorityofthevotescast.
3. ForSenateseats,intheeventthatthelastpositioneligiblefortherunoffis
tied,thenbothcandidatestiedshallbeintherun-off.
4. Fortherun-offelection,ifeithercandidateisawriteincandidate,the
electioncommissionwillinformthemthattheyhaveuntilthefollowing
Fridayat5:00p.m.aftertheelectiontofill-outanofficialpetitiontobe
eligiblefortherun-offelection.
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5. IfaRun-offElectionresultsinatie,thenthetiedcandidatewhoreceivedthe
mostvotesintheGeneralElectionshallbethewinner.
6. Candidateswhocannotattendtheelectionresultswillbecontactedbythe
electioncommissionwithin24hoursoftheannouncement
Section10.Violations,Grievances,andAppeals
A. OriginalJurisdiction
1. TheSupremeCourtshallhaveoriginaljurisdictioninallmattersconcerning
electionsandgrievances.
B. ChallengingResultsorProcedures
1. Anystudentmaychallengetheresultsorproceduresofanyelectionby
submittinghisorherwrittengrievancetotheSupremeCourtChiefJusticeno
laterthan5PMonthefifthclassdayfollowingtheelectionbeingchallenged.
2. Countergrievanceswillbetakenuntil5PM.onthefifthclassdayafter
notificationofthefiledgrievance(s).
3. CandidatesobjectingwiththedecisionoftheSupremeCourtmayappeal
accordingtotheNISGConstitution,ArticleVI,Section2.
4. Afterthegrievanceperiodhasbeenobserved,theSupremeCourtwill
considercertificationoftheelectionandforwarditsconclusionstothe
Senate.
C. Violations
1. TheSupremeCourtshallorderlyandfairlyimposesanctionsagainst
campaignsandcandidateswhichviolatetheElectionRules.Allsanctions
imposedwillbeatthediscretionoftheSupremeCourt.
2. SanctionsavailabletotheSupremeCourt
i. Warning
ii. Warningw/Probation
iii. Publiccensure
iv. Purchasereplacementbanners/flyers/postersforopponent
v. Prohibitcampaigningtostudentgroups
vi. Stopactivelyhandingoutcampaignmaterial
vii. Stopactivecampaigningforrestofelection
viii. Removepostersfromaspecificlocation
ix. Stopcampaigningforaspecificnumberofdays
x. Removecandidatefromballot
xi. Removecandidatefromballotandbarthemfromwinning
3. Specificinfractionsandsuggestedminimum(notrequiredminimum)
sanctions
i. Earlycampaigning
1. Warningw/Probation
2. Takedownposters/banners/materialsuntilcampaigning
starts
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3. Delaycampaignstartdateforcampaignbythenumberofdays
electionrulesviolated
ii. Earlycampaigningwithanintenttosolicitvotes
1. Warningw/Probation
2. Stopcandidatefromtalkingtopeopleuntilcampaigningstarts
3. Delaycampaignstartdateforcampaignbythenumberofdays
electionrulesviolated
iii. Vandalism
1. PublicCensure
2. Restitutiontowardothercampaigns
3. AdditionalsanctionsasdecidedbytheSupremeCourt
iv. SupremeCourtmembermisconduct
1. RemovalofmemberfromSupremeCourt
v. SpendingViolation/Overspending
1. Candidatenotallowedtousematerialsforwhichextramoney
wasspent
2. Warningw/Probation
vi. FailuretoSubmitSpendingPaperwork
1. Removalofnamefromtheballot
vii. FraudulentDocuments(petitionsorspendingdocuments)
1. Removalofnamefromtheballot
2. Thecandidatehasthepotentialtoreinstatetheirname
oncetheproperdocumentshavebeenturnedin.
Section11.SuspensionandAmendments
A. TheNISGElectionRulesmaybesuspendedbytheSupremeCourtbya2/3vote.The
CommissionmayseektheopinionoftheNISGAdvisorand/orUniversityPresident
orhis/herdesignee.
B. TheNISGElectionRulesmaybeamendedbya2/3voteoftheSupremeCourt,
subjecttoapprovalbya2/3voteoftheNISGSenate.Anyamendmentstothis
documentmustbemadesixweekspriortothenextelection.
DateofEnactment:February8,1998
Amendments:
February16,2000–ElectronicBalloting
January17,2001–TotalRevision
November13,2002–Petitionrequirementsandgrievanceprocedures
February5,2003–Revisionofcampaigningprocedures
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March10,2004–RevisiontoElectionAgents
April11,2007–RemovalofSpecialElections(etal)
January14,2009–MultipleRevisions,explanations,andgrammaticalchanges,
Reinstantiationofspecialelections
November11,2009–TotalRevisionandReorganization
October17,2011–RevisionofCampaignFinance,ElectionCommission
Composition,PetitionComposition,RemovalofFallElections,PublicityGuidelines,
LengthofCampaigningTime
March20,2012–RevisionofCampaignFinance,PublicityGuidelines,Timethe
ElectionisHeld,CollegeSignatureRequirement,RequirementtoArchiveElection
Material,Clarifiedwhichenrollmentfigurestouseindeterminingnumberof
Senateseats,Write-InCandidateEligibility.
March30,2015–RevisionofSupremeCourtDuties,Campaigning,Ballots,and
BallotCounting
Northern Iowa Student Government
Election Rules – Page 13 of 14
Last Modified: March 30, 2015