Campaigning

Campaign Period  for the WINTER 2025 election

Begins: Monday, January 27, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. 
Ends: Friday, February 14, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

USTC Campaign Guidelines Information Session for Candidates (virtual)
Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 2:00 p.m. (Verified candidates will received notice with further details about this virtual session)

Candidates are encouraged to attend or send an authorized representative to attend the Campaign Guidelines Information Session for Candidates organized by the UTSC Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) to review Campaign guidelines.

A candidate may contact the DRO to receive the information given at the Campaign Guidelines Information Session for Candidates if the candidate is unable to attend the session.

All candidates, whether present or not, are responsible for and shall act in accordance with all the information provided at the Campaign Guidelines Information Session for Candidates.

Campaign and Election Responsibilities of Candidates

Always refer to the Elections Guidelines for the official election rules and responsibilities.

  • Candidates and their associated parties are expected to conduct honourable Campaigns in accordance with the rules of fair play and are expected to strive to focus on matters concerning the governance and best interests of the University during their Campaigns:
    • Fair play includes, but is not limited to, behaving in accordance with generally accepted community standards, being respectful of other candidates and their Campaigns and representing facts accurately.
    • Candidates should seek the advice and directions of the CRO on disputes about interpretations of fair play in the context of the University elections process.
    • Candidates are encouraged to seek resolution of disputes over campaign Guidelines through informal processes before having recourse to formal allegations of violations.
  • Candidates shall familiarize themselves with and abide by all the guidelines contained in all the Appendices of these Guidelines.
  • Candidates shall review and familiarize themselves with the definitions of “Associated Party”, “Campaigning”, “Campaign”, “Campaign Material”, and “Distribute” as well as all the definitions of the other terms listed in the Definitions section of these Guidelines.
  • Candidates shall advise the CRO or DRO in writing prior to the beginning of the Campaign Period of any student society, recognized campus group, or other campus organization in which they hold an executive position.
  • Candidates shall ensure that all Campaigning and Campaign Materials conform to all policies and regulations of the University, and with all applicable laws.
  • Candidates shall not remove, deface or unreasonably inhibit the viewing of each other’s Campaign Materials.
  • Candidates shall not interfere with a voter’s freedom to cast a ballot for the candidate of their choice or compromise the secrecy of the ballot process.
  • Candidates shall not permit a voter to use any candidates’ devices, or any device belonging to a campaign worker or volunteer, to vote.
  • Candidates shall not facilitate or persuade a voter to vote on a device that does not belong to the voter (establishing a polling station is not permitted).
  • Candidates shall respect the privacy of voters and shall not be present when votes are being cast.
  • Candidates shall be responsible for the actions, and violations stemming from such actions, of any Associated Party, however occurring.

POSTER GUIDELINES

The placing of posters on University property must be done in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures, with the regulations of Facilities and Services, and with the relevant regulations of each building on the three campuses.  

At the University of Toronto Scarborough, please refer to the Governance Elections Posting Guidelines here: 

UTSC Governance Elections Posting Guidelines