Official 2025 Election Timeline

Information Sessions

Attendance at one of these sessions is required for individuals running for Student Government office. Each executive slate must also have a designated financial officer who must attend the financial officer information session. If you are interested in running but are unable to attend any of the sessions, please contact Election Commissioner Santi Fajardo as soon as possible.

Senate Information Sessions: Wednesday, January 22, at 5 pm in MU 3512; Thursday, January 23, at 5 pm in MU 1560N; Friday, January 24, at 5 pm in MU Oak Room

Executive Slate Information Sessions: Thursday, January 23, at 6 pm in MU 1560N; Friday, January 24, at 6 pm in MU Oak Room

Financial Officer Information Session: Tuesday, January 28, at 5:30 pm

Statements of Intent

A statement of intent form is required to complete your registration for the ballot. Both senatorial and executive statements of intent are due Wednesday, January 29, at 5 pm.

Campaign Start Date

Candidates may begin campaigning on Saturday, February 1.

Executive Slate Petitions

Electronic petitions will be provided to each executive slate. The petition deadline is Tuesday, February 18, at 5 pm.

Debates

The Vice Presidential Debate will be held Tuesday, February 18, at 6 pm in the MU Durham Great Hall.

The Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, February 27, at 6 pm in the Durham Great Hall.

Both debates will be livestreamed via the Student Government YouTube channel. Senate debates are dependent on the number of candidates running for each Senate constituency and will be coordinated with the relevant constituency council if needed. Any scheduled Senate debates will be posted here as they are scheduled.

Campaign Paperwork

Final expense and revenue disclosure statements and candidate endorsements forms are due Friday, February 28.

General Election

Voting will open at 12:00 am on Tuesday, March 4, and close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, March 5. 

Preliminary election results will be available on Friday, March 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If a campaign wishes to host an event that is open to the public it will need to be submitted through the Event Authorization System. Events should be submitted using Election Commission as the sponsoring student organization. Campaign finance officers will be listed on the Election Commission roster and will have the ability to submit events to the system. Events must be approved by the Election Commissioner, EC Treasurer, and EC Advisor.
  • Campaigns may utilize the Student Engagement Flyer Distribution Service using Election Commission as the sponsoring student organization. Materials must be approved by the Election Commission prior to distribution and all other policies and procedures must be followed by the campaign representatives. 
  • Signboard and tabling reservations cannot be made utilizing the Election Commission or Student Government as the sponsoring organization. Campaigns will need to work with a recognized student organization to reserve those resources--student organizations may make an in-kind donation of these reservations for candidates and slates. Campaigns must submit the use agreement form.
  • Any fees incurred by a candidate or slate for marketing resources are the responsibility of the campaign.

Yes, as long as the goal is to promote engagement in the election and the event does not support or promote any candidate or slate. The event should be advertised only by the individual or organization sponsoring it (Event Authorization may be needed) and advertisements should not contain campaign markings or Election Commission stamps. Campaigns may not finance any such event and candidates should not attend these events.

All slates will receive their petition form at the same time after the deadline to submit Statements of Intent. All slates will have the same amount of time to collect signatures. 

Prior to the official campaign start date and time, slates may collect signatures but may not discuss their campaign or platform. 

Acceptable: “Please sign my petition to run for Student Government.” 

Unacceptable: “Please sign my petition to run for Student Government—I plan to accomplish XYZ etc.” 

Information about the executive slate’s campaign may be shared while collecting petition signatures once the official campaign start date has passed. 

 

Yes. Candidates may not campaign within 100 feet of a polling place on the days of voting (March 4 at 12:00 am through March 5 at 11:59 pm). Polling places will be announced no later than Friday, February 28. 

Yes, unless that computer lab is a designated polling place and then the above restriction applies. The exception is the computer lab in the Student Engagement office which will be utilized as a polling place. 

Yes. Once details are finalized a formal email should be sent confirming all details and CC'ing electioncommission@iastate.edu. 

Yes, as long as permission is granted by the instructor and you are not soliciting support or endorsement from faculty or staff members. 

The Election Commission is not planning to host any of these this year. Individual campaigns may organize their own events. 

Generally, no. Election Commission monitors all campaign social media for compliance with the Election Code. Any social media posts that will be boosted must be reviewed and approved by the Election Commission to ensure that the required funding statement is present.