Campaigning
Now that your election packet has been approved and your name added to the ballot, you can begin officially campaigning for office! Campaigning looks different for every candidate, but there are several popular methods of campaigning that we recommend you take advantage of. There are also several important rules regarding when, where, and how you may campaign which you must be familiar with.
Rules & Enforcement:
Violation of campaigning rules may result in disqualification from the current election and even disqualification from future elections. Because of the this, the following sections will go more in-depth than before into election rules, quoting our constitution and code directly to best inform you on what is and isn’t allowed. For clarification and concerns, please contact the asbsuelections@boisestate.edu.
When You May Campaign
You may only begin campaigning once the Elections Manager has approved your election packet. Personal conversations, in any form, are not considered Campaigning and cannot be regulated by ASBSU.
Where You May Campaign
- Academic buildings: Campaigning is acceptable in academic buildings, but it must not take place in the classroom during instruction times or otherwise disrupt classes that are in session. Campaign Materials may be posted only on public bulletin boards and in department offices with proper approval by the department.
- Policies regarding the Student Union Building, Recreation Center, and University Housing will be determined by the respective departments. Documentation of these policies will be provided to Candidates in Election Packets.
- ASBSU Meetings: Candidates will not announce or promote their candidacy or their intent to pursue candidacy during a meeting of any ASBSU Body.
- Student Organizations: Candidates are encouraged to contact Student Organizations and get permission from them to Campaign at a Student Organization meeting. Student Organizations are not required to grant permission to any Candidate.
- Personal conversations, in any form, are not considered Campaigning and cannot be regulated by ASBSU.
How You May Campaign
- Candidates may contact the officers of Student Organizations.
- Social media communication, including but not limited to academic group chats and email threads, social media platforms, or any other area where one might reasonably presume social interaction in a virtual space is taking place, must follow the same guidelines as any other form of Campaigning.
- Candidates, Tickets, and Teams will not falsify any endorsements. ASBSU will not endorse any candidate, Ticket or Team. Paid ASBSU officials will not make public endorsements unless they are candidates themselves.
- A Candidate, Ticket, or Team which benefited from the assistance of a Paid ASBSU Official will also be subject to sanction, up to and including disqualification from election.
- Personal conversations, in any form, are not considered Campaigning and cannot be regulated by ASBSU.
Campaign Finances
All candidates must report all campaign finance information such as amount of money spent, what it was spent on, donations, donation dates, expenditure dates, etc. Executive (President/VP) Tickets will have a spending cap of $1,000 for an election, all other elected positions are capped at $500. More information is available in your election packet.
Campaign Strategy
All campaigns will look different. Some spend lots of money, others spend none at all. Some campaigns focus on meeting with student organization leaders and building relationships, others focus more on spreading their message as far and wide as possible through social media, posters, and other materials. Consider the role you’re running for, who’s support and advice will you need? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Would you rather appeal as a social and outgoing candidate, or are you looking to sell voters on more pragmatic skills and relevant experience that make you good for the position?
All of these questions (and any more you can think of) are usually answered somewhere in the middle. Candidates who strike a healthy balance in their approach to campaigning based on their skills, constituents, and the position they’re running for often find the most success in their election.
Campaign Teams
Candidates may campaign together with one or more Candidates for other positions as a Team. This essentially constitutes a mutual endorsement, where each Candidate supports the other in their respective bids for election. Teams are a good way for a Candidate with little election experience to gain the support of a more experienced Candidate.
Campaign Staff
To help with your campaign, you may have campaign staff. Staff may be paid, subject to regular campaign finance requirements. Campaign staff are a direct extension of yourself, and are subject to all rules you are. Any misconduct on the part of campaign staff may affect the Candidate as well.