Elections 2026 – Opening January!
Elections for 2026 begin on January 13, 2026 at 12pm. Explore the available seats and view the FAQ page to help you prepare for the nomination period.
A link to the online nomination form will be posted here when nominations open.
Key Dates 2026
- January 13-22 - Nomination Period
- January 27 - Announcement of Candidates
- February 2-20 - Campaigning Period
- February 10-20 - Voting Period
- February 23 - Announcement of Results
- February 25 - Declaration of Winners
- April 7 - Announcement of Results (UTM/UTSC Students)
- April 10 - Declaration of Winners (UTM/UTSC Students)
About Elected Membership
Elections for positions on the University's governing bodies are held annually, typically starting in the winter, with by-elections held as necessary. This process allows members of the University to take an active role in participating in University governance.
Participation is based upon which constituency you belong. The election process involves three main stages: submitting a nomination, campaigning to your constituency, and an online voting period.
Use the tool below to see which governance bodies you may be eligible to serve on based on your role and campus. If you’re unsure of your constituency, you can review the definitions within the tabs that follow. For full eligibility details, please refer to the Election Guidelines.
“Student” means any person registered at the University for full-time or part-time study in a program that leads to a degree or post-secondary diploma or certificate of the University or in a program designated by the Governing Council as a program of post-secondary study at the University. The Transitional Year Program and the Millie Rotman Shime Academic Bridging Program have been designated by the Governing Council as programs of post-secondary study at the University, and, accordingly, a student in either of these programs is considered a “Student” in these Guidelines.
Full-Time Undergraduate Student
“Full-Time Undergraduate Student” means a Student registered at the University in a program of full-time study leading to a degree or post-secondary diploma or certificate of the University or in a program designated by the Governing Council as a program of post-secondary study at the University who is not registered in the School of Graduate Studies or the Toronto School of Theology. Full-Time Undergraduate Student status will be determined by the definition used in the Student’s academic division. For the purpose of the Governing Council elections, Students at the University of Toronto Scarborough who are registered in a work term will be considered to be Full-Time Undergraduate Students.
Constituency I
All Full-Time Undergraduate Students registered in the Faculty of Arts and Science on the St. George campus, at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), or at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). Both members elected in Constituency I may not be registered in the same college on the St. George campus or both registered at UTM or both registered at UTSC. In the event that a member elected while registered in one college or campus later registers in the college in which the other elected member is registered, the transferring member shall resign from the Governing Council.
Constituency II
All Full-Time Undergraduate Students registered in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine (including post-graduate medical trainees), Faculty of Music, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, and Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Both members elected in Constituency II must not be registered in the same faculty or school. In the event that a member elected while registered in one faculty of school later registers in the faculty or school in which the other elected member is registered, the transferring member shall resign from the Governing Council.
Graduate Student
“Graduate Student” means a Student registered in the School of Graduate Studies.
Constituency I
All Students registered in Division I (Humanities) and Division II (Social Sciences) of the School of Graduate Studies.
Constituency II
All Students registered in Division III (Physical Sciences) and Division IV (Life Sciences) of the School of Graduate Studies.
For a list of graduate units within Division I to IV, please refer to:
https://sgs.calendar.utoronto.ca/divisional-structure-view
Part-Time Undergraduate Student
“Part-Time Undergraduate Student” means a Student registered at the University in a program of part-time study leading to a degree or post-secondary diploma or certificate of the University or in a program designated by the Governing Council as a program of post-secondary study at the University who is not registered in the School of Graduate Studies or the Toronto School of Theology. Part-Time Undergraduate Student status will be determined by the definition used in the Student’s academic division.
“Teaching Staff” means employees of the University who hold the academic rank of Professor; Associate Professor; Assistant Professor; Professor, Teaching Stream; Associate Professor, Teaching Stream; Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream; Lecturer and Senior Lecturer; Tutor and Senior Tutor; Assistant Professor (Conditional); Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream (Conditional); Sessional Lecturer I, Sessional Lecturer II, Sessional Lecturer III, Athletics Instructor and Senior Athletics Instructor but does not include any part-time lecturer who is registered as a student. For this purpose, “Lecturer” also includes Associates in the Faculty of Dentistry.
Constituency IA
All Teaching Staff members in the Faculty of Arts and Science who hold their major appointments in the Departments of Art History, Classics, East Asian Studies, English, French, Germanic Languages and Literatures, History, Italian Studies, Linguistics, Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, Philosophy, Study of Religion, Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures, Spanish and Portuguese, Centre for Comparative Literature, Cinema Studies Institute, Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies, Centre for Medieval Studies, and the Institute for History & Philosophy of Science & Technology (excluding those who are members of Constituency II or III).
Constituency IB
All Teaching Staff members in the Faculty of Arts and Science who hold their major appointments in the Departments of Anthropology, Economics, Geography & Planning, Political Science, Sociology, Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies, Munk School of Global Affairs, Centre for Indigenous Studies, Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources, School of the Environment, Women and Gender Studies Institute, and Teaching Staff members who hold their major appointments in University College, St Michael's College, New College, Woodsworth College, and Innis College (excluding those who are members of Constituency IA, IC, II or III).
Constituency IC
All Teaching Staff members in the Faculty of Arts and Science who hold their major appointments in the Departments of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Cell and Systems Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Statistical Sciences, and the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (excluding those who are members of Constituency II or III).
Constituency II
All Teaching Staff who hold their major appointments at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Constituency III
All Teaching Staff members who hold their major appointments at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Constituency IV
All Teaching Staff members who hold their major appointments in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering.
Constituency V
All Teaching Staff members in the Faculty of Medicine. Members elected from the Faculty of Medicine may not be from the same Department within the Faculty.
Constituency VI
All Teaching Staff members who hold their major appointments in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education.
Constituency VII
All Teaching Staff members who hold their major appointments in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, & Design, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, Faculty of Information, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Music and the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.
Constituency VIII
All Teaching Staff members who hold their major appointments in the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).
Step 1: Nominations
The nomination process is the first step for any eligible individual to become a candidate.
An individual must file a fully completed nomination before the closing of an announced nomination period. To be valid, the nomination must be supported by nominators from the candidate's constituency. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure these supporting nominations are successfully submitted by the deadline.
Candidates may also submit an optional statement, which will be made available to voters during the campaign and voting periods.
Step 2: Campaigning
Once candidates are officially confirmed, they may begin their campaigns. Campaigning is permitted only during the official, announced Campaign Period.
Candidates are expected to conduct their campaigns honourably and adhere to the rules of fair play. All campaign materials, regardless of format, must comply with University policies and regulations.
Additional obligations are outlined in the Election Guidelines, and candidates are required to review and follow them.
Step 3: Voting
Voting is conducted online through an electronic platform during the dates specified as the Voting Period.
Each eligible member of a constituency is permitted to cast only one ballot in their election. When a voter logs into the secure system, they will see the list of candidates for their constituency, presented in randomized order.
To protect election integrity, candidates are strictly prohibited from interfering with a voter's freedom to vote, compromising the ballot's secrecy, or permitting a voter to use any of the candidate's own devices to cast a vote.
MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
Members elected to a governance body are expected to:
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Attend and actively participate in meetings (minimum 75% attendance)
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Prepare thoroughly and contribute thoughtfully to discussions
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Serve on one or more committees to deepen their impact
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Uphold ethical standards, including confidentiality and conflict-of-interest
Tools & Resources
Other Ways to Get Involved
There are several ways to participate in University governance. You can get involved through the appointed membership process or by attending open meetings to observe presentations and discussions. These opportunities are a great way to learn how the University functions.
We're Here to Help!
The University's Chief Returning Officer (CRO) and Deputy Returning Officers (DRO) oversee fair, transparent, and well-organized elections for the Governing Council, Academic Board, and Campus Councils.
If you have any questions or feedback about the elections process, please contact the CRO, a DRO, or email gc.elections@utoronto.ca.
