University and College Elections

Are you running an election at your college or university? Election off the Shelf will make your task easier, whatever your degree of experience.

Elections Canada designed this kit in co-operation with a number of student organizations. It thus contains concrete, practical information on every step in a student election (or referendum).

Feel free to adapt the practices below at your own institution or to your specific circumstances. The important thing is that the election runs smoothly; and the most important thing is that it be fair.

Election off the Shelf contains:

A Greeting from Canada's Chief Electoral Officer
Background Principles and Choosing Election Officers
The Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO's) Guide for students supervising the entire operation
The Returning Officer's Guide, an instruction manual for the CEO's assistant
Contributions from Collaborators, which includes recollections from people who have taken part in student elections in various capacities
A Glossary of important terms
Forms and Samples of election materials, from candidates' nomination papers to ballots that you can reproduce or adapt as needed

We welcome your comments and suggestions, because Election off the Shelf is – and will remain – a collaborative effort. So don't hesitate to contact us. Keep in touch . . . and happy elections!