Your vote shapes your campus experience now and in the future. Here’s why you should care:

• The USC is your Student Experience: It’s entrenched in your experience at Western, through the bagel you order at The Spoke, the club you sign up for, and the concert you attend in Mustang Lounge. Have a say in how the organization supports you. 
• Speak Up for What You Care About: Whether it’s more events, better health support, or lower tuition, voting is how you make your priorities known to your student representatives 
• Decide Who Runs the Show: The people you elect will make big decisions about your student life—so why not make sure they align with what you want?
• Create Real Change: Want things to get better? Voting puts the right people in charge to make it happen.
• Representation Matters: Student leaders have access to decision-makers and spaces most students don’t. By electing them, you’re choosing someone who understands your experiences to represent your voice and interests in those rooms.
• Show Up for Your Community: One voice can make a difference but it’s not enough. A strong turnout means your voice can’t be ignored.

This is your campus, your experience, your vote. Don’t miss out!

You’re voting for student leaders who will represent your interests and make decisions that directly impact your university experience. Here’s who’s typically on the ballot:

• USC President: The face of student leadership. They advocate for student needs, manage services, and represent your voice to university and government decision-makers.
• Vice Presidents (VPs): They specialize in key areas like advocacy, events (OWeek), services, and engagement, working behind the scenes to improve your student experience.
• Faculty Council Presidents & Councillors: These reps are your voice within your faculty, advocating for academic and campus concerns that matter to you at USC General Council.
• Other Leadership Positions: Some ballots may also include roles for student representatives on Western’s Senate and Board of Governors, and other faculty associations.

These leaders don’t only plan events or advocate for policies—they have the power to shape your experience at Western. Vote for candidates who share your vision!

Voting is easy and done electronically. Here’s how you can cast your ballot:

1. Review Candidates: You can find a list of candidates running for each position here (insert link to candidate profiles). Take your time to review their platforms and what they stand for.
2. Check Your Email: Eligible voters will receive a personalized link to the election ballot in their UWO email inbox.
3. Access the Ballot: Click the link to open your Simply Voting ballot or visit https://westernusc.simplyvoting.com  any time before polls end. You will provide your @uwo.ca account and password to authenticate and login.
4. Verify your Voter Profile: If you do not see the positions or candidates you expect DO NOT VOTE. As long as you have not completed your ballot, your voter profile can be fixed and you will be able to re-enter the voting platform. Contact the Elections Team at elections@westernusc.ca with full details if you encounter any issues. 
5. Make Your Selections: Select your choices for the positions up for election. For General Elections, You’ll vote for:
   • USC President, Senate Representatives, and Board of Governors Representatives (open to all students)
   • Faculty Presidents and Faculty Councillors (only for students within specific faculties)
6. Submit Your Vote: Once you’re ready, click “Submit” to finalize your selections.

It’s secure, simple, and only takes a few minutes. Make your voice heard and vote!

To vote in USC elections, you need to meet these simple criteria:

• Undergraduate Student: You must be an undergraduate student at Western University, including students in any faculty or affiliate program.
• Registered Student: You must be registered as a full or part-time undergraduate student for the current academic year.

Your vote counts, so make sure you’re ready to participate!

A Preferential Ballot allows you to rank candidates in order of preference. Here’s how it works:

1. Rank Your Choices: For positions with multiple candidates, you’ll rank them from 1st to last (1 being your top choice, 2 being your second, and so on).
2. What Happens Next: If your first choice doesn’t have enough votes to win, your vote will automatically be transferred to your second choice. If that candidate doesn’t have enough votes, it moves to your third choice, and so on.
3. Why It’s Fair: This system helps ensure that the winning candidate has broad support, even if they weren’t everyone’s first pick.

It’s an easy way to make sure your vote counts, even if your top candidate doesn’t win right away!