Saitsa Elections
Join the Saitsa Board of Directors
Nominations Open at 8 a.m. on January 20, 2025
Learn how to run at Saitsa.com/Get-On-Board
Candidate Nomination Period Opens
January 20, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.
Get Ready to Lead!
The countdown is on! Nomination season is just around the corner, and now is the perfect time to prepare.
Check out the 2025 Elections Information Package to learn everything you need to know about running for the Saitsa Board of Directors. From key dates to guidelines, it’s all here to help you succeed.
Start your journey today—read the package and get ready to make an impact!
About Saitsa's Elections
As a student-owned and operated non-profit organization, Saitsa needs students who are passionate about being stewards of their Students’ Association and who want to improve the SAIT student experience. It is governed by student representatives elected by their peers each year. These students work together to lead Saitsa initiatives.
Get Involved! - It’s your student association, your voice. Make the most of your academic experience.
Why Should I Get On Board?
Experience on the Board of Directors can truly benefit your future! There are so many reasons to get involved with your student-run government. Visit 'Get on Board' for more information why and how to get involved today.
DECIDE On Your Board
Those who get elected represent over 20,000 SAIT students to all levels of government, the community and the institution – your vote matters!
Candidates are expected to build campaign platforms that adhere to election rules and principles. Ensuring elections are secure, free, fair, and transparent. Platforms should be clear and realistic, keeping in mind student interest.
VOTE For Your Board
When Can I Vote?
Voting for the 2025 BOD Election opens at 8:00 a.m. on March 3, 2025 and closes at 4:00 p.m. on March 6, 2025.
Where Do I Vote? Students are able to access a secure link to the election ballot via their SAIT student email (subject is “Vote Here”) during the voting period. Day or night, you can vote from anywhere! All you need is a valid SAIT student email address.
Forgot what your password is to your SAIT student email?
Unless you’ve changed it, your password should be your date of birth: YY/MM/DD
Voting FAQ
Saitsa utilizes a platform called Simply Voting Simply Voting is a web-based online voting system that manages Saitsa’s elections easily and securely. Saitsa staff and the CRO coordinate the development of the ballot; the voter list is uploaded with student numbers only, no names, so your vote is confidential.
Saitsa uses the Single Transferable Vote system to elect its representatives. Under this system, voters rank the candidates in order of preference whereby voters rank their most preferred candidate as ‘1’ and their second most preferred candidate as ‘2’ and so on. This system closely approaches proportional representation and is generally considered a more fair voting system. For more information on how STV works within Saitsa please consult our Election Policies & Procedures.
Any student who pays Saitsa fees can vote in the SAIT Students’ Association elections. If you pay Saitsa fees and have not received your voting email please check your junk folder as well as your deleted and spam folders; if you still cannot find the email please submit a ‘voter issue form."
You’re putting your support behind students who will advocate for you to the institution and all levels of government. These dedicated students will set the framework for the Students’ Association for years to come, which will impact the events and services offered and how your membership fees are spent. VOTE and help shape your student experience!
Deciding who to vote for can be tricky, for many students, this may be their first time voting – exciting! Democracy in action! As with all elections, it is important to review the candidate’s campaigns and get a ‘feel’ for them via their campaign activities and materials. It is also important for you to understand what the role of the Board is so that you can ensure the candidate’s platform aligns with the role of the Board.
Candidates are expected to build campaign platforms that adhere to election rules and principles. Ensuring elections are secure, free, fair, and transparent. Platforms should be clear and realistic, keeping in mind student interest.
Decide who will get your vote based on what matters to you! Those who get elected represent over 20,000 SAIT students to all levels of government, the community, and the institution – your vote matters! Ultimately pick the candidates who resonate with you and your values the most, and who you think will do a great job representing SAIT students
Are you experiencing technical issues when you attempt to cast your vote? Complete this form if you are experiencing an issue with voting in Saitsa’s election. Replies will be via email unless a phone call is required to help solve the issue.
The rules governing the elections can be found here:
Saitsa recognizes the need to hold open and fair elections and makes efforts to ensure all Saitsa members have the opportunity to participate in the election process. All individuals working for Saitsa are required to remain impartial while on duty. Saitsa implemented an Election Team, led by the Chief Returning Officer (CRO), to carry out objective and rational decisions during elections.
In addition to the Election Team, Saitsa has an Elections Oversight Panel that is responsible for overseeing elections and referenda, and ruling on disputes arising from these processes. The panel is comprised of three disinterested, third-party experts appointed by the Board.
In pursuit of the objective to achieve fairness and openness, Saitsa requires candidates, campaign agents, and volunteers to demonstrate respect for others and engage in fair competition. Campaign activities must be in compliance with SAIT’s code of conduct and Saitsa’s bylaws, policies, and procedures. Saitsa welcomes healthy debate and opposition; however, campaign activities shall not harm the reputation of any individual.
All candidates are required to abide by the Elections and Referenda Policies and Procedures.
If you believe a candidate has violated any of the Policies and Procedures, you can file a report via the: complaint form.
The appeal process is outlined in the Elections and Referenda Policies and Procedures Submit an appeal by filling out the Elections Appeal Form.
Saitsa encourages and appreciates involvement with the election in many forms. Involvement opportunities include helping with candidates’ campaigns, running themselves, or volunteering with Saitsa. Contact us for more information.