Elections

A notice of election is sent via email to the relevant electorate whenever an election is to be held. When the number of nominations for a vacancy exceeds the number of positions to be filled, elections will be conducted online. 

Nominations open: 9.00am Monday 14 September 2020 

Nominations close: 12.00pm (midday) Tuesday 22 September 2020 

At the end of the nomination period the Returning Officer will notify candidates via their Swinburne email accounts if an election is required. 

The notice of election will be updated to include a list of candidates. Where the number of nominations does not exceed the number of positions to be filled, the Returning Officer will declare the candidate or candidates elected. 

Where the number of nominations for a vacancy exceeds the number of positions to be filled, elections will be conducted online. The University electoral company (BigPulse) will email a unique link to an online voting form to all members of the electorate eligible to vote. 

Electoral rolls list the members eligible to participate in elections. The eligibility requirements are outlined in the Swinburne University of Technology Act 2010 and the Election Regulations (Part 3. S10. Entitlement to be nominated for elections).

If you are not included on the electoral roll for an election and believe you are entitled to be, please email the Returning Officer. 

Submit your nomination online according to the guidelines sent by email. 

An email from the University electoral company (BigPulse) is sent at the beginning of each election period to members of the electorate. Information about the vacancy, nomination and voting time frames will be available via a unique link provided in this email, including access to the online nomination submission form. 

Understand the roles, responsibilities and time commitments expected of all staff and students considering a position within one of the bodies here at Swinburne University of Technology. 

• Watch the Information Session

• Board Member Commitments

To nominate as a candidate for an elected position complete the online nomination submission form. The form can be accessed via the unique link in the email from the University electoral company (BigPulse). Provide a candidate’s statement of no more than 250 words. Nominations will not be accepted after the close of the nomination period. 

A nominee may withdraw their nomination at any time via elections@swinburne.edu.au.

Voting opens: 9am Monday 5 October 2020 

Voting closes: 12pm (midday) Monday 12 October 2020 

Electoral rolls list the members eligible to participate in elections. The eligibility requirements are outlined in the Swinburne University of Technology Act 2010 and the Election Regulations (Part 3. S10. Entitlement to vote).

If you are not included on the electoral roll for an election and believe you are entitled to be, please email elections@swinburne.edu.au. 

Submit your vote online according to the guidelines sent by email. 

An email from the University electoral company (BigPulse) is sent at the beginning of the voting period to all eligible voters. Eligible staff and students vote via a unique link to individual ballot papers online provided in this email. Eligible voters can access ballot papers at any time throughout the voting period. 

Votes are de-identified so it is not possible for any person to determine how an elector voted. 

Vote counting starts when the election period closes. Election results are determined using plurality voting known as “first past the post."

Election process 

Where can I find information about nomination eligibility criteria? 

Eligibility criteria for student and staff positions are outlined in the Election Regulations (Part 3. S10. Entitlement to be nominated for elections).

Can I nominate for a position in a category that I don’t currently belong to? 

You can only nominate for a position in a category that you currently belong to. Eg. if you are currently an undergraduate student and will be a postgraduate student next year, you can only nominate in the category you currently belong to. 

How do I nominate as a candidate and where can I find more information? 

Nominations can be submitted via the unique link provided in the BigPulse emails. Further information on ‘How to nominate’ can be found here.

How do I vote in the elections and where can I find more information? 

Voting can be submitted via the unique link provided in the BigPulse emails. Further information on ‘How to Vote’ can be found here.

What should I do if I can’t find the BigPulse emails? 

Look for the BigPulse emails in your Swinburne email Inbox or Junk Emails. If you can’t locate them, try searching “bigpulse” or “swinburne elections”. Still can’t find them, email the returning officer.

Where can I find the names of the election candidates? 

Candidate names are published in the Notice of Election.

Where can I find the election results? 

The election results are published in the Notice of Election.

What happens if there are insufficient candidates for positions? 

The Elections Regulations (Part 4. S13. Insufficient candidates) applies to all vacancies if no candidates are nominated for election to a body in a particular category or all candidates nominated for election to a vacancy withdraw before being elected. 

Definitions 

What is a ballot period? 

The period during which persons may vote at an election. 

Who is BigPulse and what is their role in the University elections? 

BigPulse is an electoral company specialising in high security online elections and nominations. The University engages BigPulse for the purpose of conducting secure online elections. 

What does ‘first past the post’ mean? 

Election results are determined using plurality voting known as ‘first past the post’, ie. the person with the most votes is duly elected. 

What is an electorate? 

An electorate is all the people in a relevant category entitled to vote in an election. 

What are regulatory probity requirements? 

Regulatory probity requirements are evidenced by agreeing to the following if you are a successful candidate, ie. that you will: 

• Comply with the Victorian Public Sector Commission’s Directors’ Code of Conduct, University legislation and the University’s Governance Framework including the Council Charter; 
• Undertake the role for the benefit of the University, rather than as a representative of a stakeholder group; 
• Comply with all duties and rules including confidentiality obligations; and 
• Provide any declarations required. 

What is the role of the returning officer? 

The returning office is the official who conducts an election and announces the results. 

What are statutory elections at the University? 

Statutory elections are an election which the Vice-Chancellor or University Secretary has determined is an election to which the Election Regulation 2012 applies.

Contacts 

Where should I direct general election inquiries? 

General election inquiries can be addressed to the returning officer at elections@swinburne.edu.au.

Where should I direct specific inquiries relating to the University Council, Academic Senate, Swinburne Student Life, Faculty Student Consultative Committees or the UniSuper Consultative Committee? 

Specific inquiries relating to these bodies can be addressed to the contacts listed on the Board Member Commitments page.