What are the Leadership Elections and why should I care?
The Leadership Elections 2026 are an annual democratic exercise here at AUBSU in which all students choose who represents them for the next academic year. Across the country student union elections exist to make sure that students have representation across the institution and on issues that matter to them. Student Union leaders are elected to advocate for students and ensure their voices are heard. Whether you are thinking of nominating yourself or you are just planning on voting – engaging in the elections is integral to ensure you have had your say in who represents you and your student experience.
Voting Information
Voting is now LIVE in the Leadership Elections 2026. Voting closes on Thursday 5th March at 2pm.
All students would have been sent a link to their University email address or you can click the link here – https://vote.choicevoting.co.uk/e/lVZGRyx8nb
(Please note you will need your personalised ID which has been sent to you via email).
Voting Stalls
We will be running a series of voting stalls across campus this week with prizes to be won such as Krispy Kremes, Creme Eggs, Dominoes, Notebooks and sweets! Come along and vote!
Make sure your checkout our candidates here – UnionOne Portal
Check out the Q&A here – UnionOne Portal
Results will be released on Friday at 5pm in Arts Bar!
Nominations Open
28th January, 12pm
Nominations Drop In
29th January 2026, 1pm – 2pm, Online
11th February 2026, 12pm – 2pm, The Courtyard (Arts Bar if it’s raining)
Nominations Close
23rd February 2026, 12pm
Candidate Briefing*
24th February 2026, 5pm, A203
Manifesto Workshop
13th February 2026, 12pm – 1pm, Online
Manifesto Deadline
27th February 2026, 12pm
Campaigning Begins
2nd March 2026, 12pm
Voting Opens
2nd March 2026, 5pm
Campaigning Ends and Voting Closes
5th March 2026, 2pm
Complaints Deadline & Expense Deadline
5th March 2026, 5pm
Results Night
6th March 2026, 5pm, Arts Bar
*Please note all candidates must attend candidate briefing to be approved as a candidate in the elections.
Nominations open on Wednesday 28th January at 12pm and are open until the 23rd of February at 12pm. During this time any registered student can nominate themselves for any of the positions within these elections. However, there are eligibility requirements for each position so make sure you read on for that information. Below we have also outlined the process of submitting a nomination and will be running drop ins and a manifesto workshop over the next few weeks to help support students in making their nomination.
After nominations close, candidate development week begins where candidates get a week to prepare their campaign. Within this week we will have the mandatory candidate briefing and we will ask candidates to submit their 30 second Instagram stories, Q&A responses and manifesto changes.
From the 2nd March at 12pm, campaigning begins and candidates will be revealed on our website as well as their manifestos. Campaigning then takes place from this time to Thursday 5th March at 2pm. Campaigning can look completely different for each candidate some may want to be on campus everyday whilst others may wish to do a lot more online – it’s up to you.
Voting opens on Monday 2nd March at 5pm, where all registered students are able to vote for who they want to be their next AUBSU leaders. You can either vote through the link sent to your university email, from clicking on our website or coming up to our stand during election week where you can use one of our laptops to sign in and vote. There will be prizes available to win if you vote so make sure you come on by. Voting closes at the same time as campaigning on Thursday at 2pm and results will be released the next day on Friday 6th March at 5pm in the Arts Bar.
Sabbatical Officers (full time, paid)
Salary = £24,900
Holiday = 25 days, plus university closures and bank holidays
Term of office = 1st July 2026 until 9th July 2027.
President Student Union x 1*
The President Student Union chairs the Trustee Board, the governing body of AUBSU and is an officer trustee where organisational direction and finance are discussed. The President SU also sits on the Board of Governors alongside the Universities Senior Leadership Team as well as on several other committees such as Academic Board, Finance Committee and the EDI Committee. One of the main duties of the President SU is to ensure that student voice is heard at every level of decision making and that communication between the Students’ Union and the University is strong.
Just like the President Student Experience, the President SU co-chairs and sits on the Executive Committee made up of all elected officers as well as the AUBSU Student Assembly. Both Sabbatical Officers are responsible for delivering their manifesto promises, responding to student feedback and campaigning for a great student experience at Arts University Bournemouth Students’ Union.
President Student Experience x 1*
The President Student Experience represents the student voice throughout the university, meeting regularly with different departments/teams and attending regular meetings with the senior leadership team with the President SU. On the ground day to day, they lead on AUBSU campaigns. These can range from being student welfare focused to education focused covering a range of different issues and adapting to students need each term. They work closely with our clubs & societies supporting in the undertaking of their activity and support they receive from AUBSU. They work closely with the AUBSU staff team on our student voice functions, communications to students and delivery of our engagement events.
Just like the President SU, the President Student Experience co-chairs and sits on the Executive Committee made up of all elected officers as well as the AUSBU Student Assembly. Both Sabbatical Officers are responsible for delivering their manifesto promises, responding to student feedback and campaigning for a great student experience at Arts University Bournemouth Students’ Union.
*Both are also Officer Trustees and sit on Arts University Bournemouth Students’ Union Trustee Board, AUBSUs’ governing body.
Student Executive Officers x 4
Along with the Sabbatical Officers, the Student Executive Officers make up the Executive Committee which meet monthly. The Student Executive Officers don’t have portfolios (not mandated to a particular area) are part time and are voluntary. Their job is to campaign for the issues that matter to students and to ensure their voices are represented and their feedback is heard. Every day is different and you will get involved in various ways. This could look like being involved in planning, jumping on social media, attending meetings (such as the student assembly) or running your own campaign. This role can be truly shaped to be what you want it to be and here at AUBSU we will work with you to help you navigate balancing your studies with your leadership role.
For all these roles we will provide training throughout the induction period which runs from the close of elections to your first day on 1st July 2026.
What are the eligibility requirements for full time officer roles?
For full time roles you must be able to take a sabbatical (break in study) or be ending your studies to be able to take a full-time position from 1st July 2026 until 9th July 2027. Working hours are 37 hrs a week, 8:30am – 5pm (Monday – Thursday) and 8:30am – 4:30pm (Friday). AUBSU currently works in a hybrid model with staff required on site 3 days a week. There will be occasional out of hours, and weekend work and sabbatical officers are not allowed to undertake external employment unless approved by the Board of Trustees. When beginning in your role as a Sabbatical Officer you will be asked to sign a trustee declaration – before running as a candidate you should review this to check you are eligible (see an example below).
I declare that:
I am over 18 years of age;
I have never been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or deception that is not regarded as legally spent;
I am not an undischarged bankrupt;
I have never been removed from office as a charity by a Court or by the Charity Commission;
I have not made compositions with my creditors from which I have not been discharged;
I am, in light of the above, not disqualified by the Charities Act 1993 (Section 72), from acting as a charity trustee;
If you are running for a part time position you must be a continuing student for next academic year (2026-2027).
Any student that is under investigation from the Union or the University that has resulted in a break in policy will be removed as a candidate. Upon close of nominations, AUBSU will check with the University that each candidate is able to run, and is not subject to any disciplinary action. If you fail to achieve all the requirements of being a candidate or you break any of the election rules you will be withdrawn. All elected officers must be over 18 and must obey the constitution and by-laws.
How do I nominate myself?
When nominations go live you can nominate yourself through the email sent to you by our election’s provider – Choice Voting. We will also be sending you a reminder email during the nominations period. You can also click this link or come along to one of our engagement events and scan the QR code.
Link here: https://vote.choicevoting.co.uk/e/lVZGRyx8nb
To nominate yourself you need to submit the below information:
Your name
Student email
Photo
Up to 10 word slogan/intro
Up to 500 word manifesto (you can make changes to this up until the deadline)
The names and emails of up to 5 students who are supporting you in your campaign.
How do I vote?
When voting opens you will be sent a link directly to your student email and you can also click the link on our website page that will be listed here. Here at Arts University Bournemouth Students’ Union we use a system called STV (single transferable voting).
What does STV mean?
In a nutshell, you allocate your preferences to candidates including RON. RON stands for re open nominations and can also be ranked as part of your preferences. For each position you will see a list of names. You vote by putting your preferred candidate as your number one choice, then adding your second choice and so on. The votes are then counted in stages with the candidates polling the lowest votes eliminated at each stage. The votes for an eliminated candidate are then transfered and redistributed to their voters next preferences. So even if your first choice gets eliminated your vote still counts. This also means that the candidate in first place in the first stage is not guarenteed to win once votes have been redistributed in subsequent rounds. Once a candidate reaches the required number of votes (quota) they win.
You can also choose to abstain from the election and not vote for each position.
What makes a good manifesto?
Your manifesto can be tailored to you. Start by introducing yourself, highlighting what role you are running for and outline 3 – 5 key things you want to achieve if elected.
Make sure to highlight any experience or skills you have that make you the best candidate. Make it engaging and try to set SMART goals. Make sure your promises are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound as well as reflective of the current student body. Do you want to run a campaign or an event? What do you think needs improving? It’s up to you. The best candidates are those who express who they are, what they stand for and why people should vote for them. Why not also come along to our nominations drop ins or manifesto workshop for more help.
Remember your manifesto cannot be more than 500 words and must be submitted before the deadline. Any changes submitted after the deadline won’t be actioned. In your manifesto you should not comment on individuals or employed staff.
Election Events
Nominations Drop In 1
29th January 2026, 1pm – 2pm, ONLINE https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/39236063111285?p=xJYw2J3R0PygApvY3R
Nominations Drop In 2
11th February 2026, 12pm – 2pm, (The Courtyard or Arts Bar if it’s raining)
Manifesto Workshop
13th February, 12pm – 1pm, ONLINE
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/35027624144986?p=YRCi5UIvwFLwue3WnC
Candidate Briefing
24th February, 5pm – 6pm, A203
You will also see us out and about across campus for Voting Week so come say hi!
How do I get in touch?
For questions about the election or technical issues, email studentsunion@aub.ac.uk or the Deputy Returning Officer cbaker@aub.ac.uk.
Candidate Information
Candidate expenditure & allowance
Full time candidates can be reimbursed for up to £30 but need to provide receipts. The deadline for these to be submitted is 5pm on Thursday 5th March 2026. Candidates must send an email to studentsunion@aub.ac.uk outlining their spend, the reason why and the attached receipts.
Part time candidates can spend up to £15 but will not be reimbursed. Like full time candidates, part time candidates must also provide receipts. The deadline for these to be submitted is 5pm on Thursday 5th March 2026. Candidates must send an email to studentsunion@aub.ac.uk outlining their spend, the reason why and the attached receipts.
All receipts must include VAT.
Even if you spend nothing on your campaign you still need to indicate this to AUBSU before the deadline.
As outlined in the rules please ensure that any campaign material is accessible to all candidates (eg if you dad owns a t shirt printing factory you cannot use this as not all candidates have access and this could be seen as bias as you are able to provide better quality promotional materials than other students have access to).
Printing allocation
All candidates are entitled to 10 x A3 colour posters and 15 x A4 colour posters on behalf of the union. These must be emailed at least a working day before candidates want these available. Any other printing must be done out of the candidate’s allowance. Any additional printing must be indicated in a candidate’s expenditure based off AUBs printing costs. Eg if you print 20 A4 coloured posters that is £1 of your campaign spending gone. Please be mindful of sustainability and consider digital campaigning.
Printing costs
Colour:
A4: 5p per page
A3: 10p per page
Greyscale:
A4: 2.5p per page
A3: 5p per page
Campaign Team
All candidates are entitled to form a campaign team to support them with campaigning (eg talking to students). When submitting your nomination members of your campaign team must be submitted. Anyone campaigning on behalf of a candidate who has not been named or any campaign team member whose behaviour causes a breach in regulation will result in a sanction being placed against the candidate.
AUBSU Support
During voting week we have a few opportunities on offer to help promote your campaign.
1 repost for each candidate (tag us in the one you want us to repost)
Q&A blog post (this will be going live on Monday 2nd March and will be made up of questions submitted by students)
Role take over on our social media.
Tuesday – President SU
Wednesday – President Student Experience,
Thursday – Student Executive Officers
All candidates are able to send a 30 second Instagram video before the deadline via wetransfer to AUBSU that they want used in their social media takeover. Candidates can have creative licence over these videos but should think about captioning, their name, role they are running for and a link to a campaign page or our website).
Candidate advice & reminders
This is a fun positive opportunity so work with us to keep it this way
Be understanding and aware of other cultures and experiences. Ramadan falls within the election period, so maybe consider how you can best support and represent students who are partaking in it.
Make sure you are always respectful, inclusive and your campaigning is accessible (particularly digitally).
If you want to campaign alongside someone else that’s okay but please be aware you both might not get in and your budget is your own you cannot share resources.
Make your campaign material eye catching, use visuals and logos.
Be aware that your material may be taken down by AUB staff or ruined by the weather and this is not in our control.
If using social media to campaign you can only create these accounts once campaigning has begun.
Talk to people, showcase your experience and skills, have strong original policies, be inventive but most importantly be yourself.
Candidate support
Look after yourself during elections, although exciting it can be stressful and busy. Nourish yourself, stay hydrated.
Take breaks
Plan something nice for yourself
Connect with others
Come along to our engagement events or book a meeting with Charlotte if you need extra support.
AUB and AUBSU are here for you. Do use university services such as student services & report and support if you need to.
Candidate demographic survey – If you are a candidate in the election make sure you fill out our candidate demographic survey here – https://online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/323ef61d-8641-4f64-be29-b40971ac2f53
Rules and Regulations
Any activity or campaign material that is illegal, breaches university rules, policies or union byelaws, policies, constitution or GDPR is deemed to be in breach of the election rules.  
The university is still a place of work for students and staff alike during the election period. Candidates must not do anything to disrupt day to day operations of the university.  
Campaign material, including adhesives and activities must not cause damage to university property and must be removed by the end of campaigning.  
Campaigning is forbidden in learning spaces such as the library, quiet spaces and classrooms.  
Any candidates that are delivering campaigning that could result in health and safety implications must have an approved risk assessment from AUBSU. 
Candidates are entitled to form a campaign team of up to 5 students. Details of said team must be disclosed alongside nomination. Any students found not listed as members of a candidate’s campaign team, campaigning, will result in a sanction being applied to the candidate in question. 
Candidates are responsible for their campaign team. Candidates must not pressure or bribe students to vote nor whom they should vote for. This includes use of others mobile devices. They must not tamper with campaign material of other candidates. 
Candidates should seek permission from staff to campaign in class. Although staff can allow candidates to campaign in class, staff should not endorse particular candidates and should signpost to the election and the AUBSU website.  
Candidates must not use AI generated imagery. 
Clubs and societies must ensure that all candidates have access to their membership if desired. Those who hold elected union roles such as committee positions must not endorse candidates using those roles, nor are union affiliated pages allowed to endorse particular candidates. Groups & individuals are allowed to promote candidates as long as all candidates can be promoted if/when requested. 
Private group chats (non-academic groups) are allowed to be used as a method of promotion for candidates but if requested all candidates are entitled to access said group to promote their campaign.  
All campaign material, including university printing, must be accounted for and declared with suitable receipts to studentsunion@aub.ac.uk by the declared deadline. 
Any expenditure must be on activity or items that all candidates could reasonably have had the opportunity to buy or carry out.  
Physical campaigning or material cannot manifest before the beginning of campaigning outlined in the election’s timeline (this includes social media account creation and promotion). 
Candidates must only run for one position in this election.  
Full time candidates must have a right to work in the UK and be able to either take a sabbatical break from their studies or be in their final year of their degree.  
Part time candidates must be a continuing student for the 2026/27 academic year.  
All candidates must attend candidate briefing in order to be allowed to participate in the election.  
Candidates must respect the decision of the Returning Officer/Deputy Returning Officer in matters of the election.  
Any candidates found to be in breach of these rules will be at risk of the below sanctions.  
1 – Informal written warning: Email notification of complaint received or breach of rules, not recorded. Reminder of the rules issued.  
2 – Formal written warning: Email notification of complaint received or breach of rules, recorded on election record. Final chance before increase in sanctions. 
3 – Suspension of campaigning: Determined by DRO, communicated via email. Failure to do so will result in sanction 4. 
4 – Removal of candidacy.  
This will be determined by the Deputy Returning Officer and Returning Officer.
Complaints
If a student/candidate feels another candidate or their campaign team has breached one or more of the above rules they can submit a complaint. The deadline to submit complaints is Thursday 5th March at 5pm. Each complaint will be reviewed and investigated and then either approved or rejected. If appoved a sanction will be applied to the candidate being complained about. In both cases the complainer will be informed of the outcome.
When complaining students/candidates should aim to do this within 24hrs of the original issue. If the complainer is unhappy with the outcome they can appeal to the Returning Officer – Peter Robertson, Director of NUS Charity.
The Deputy Returning Officer for the Leadership Elections 2026 is Charlotte Baker, Student Union Manager at AUBSU. She is responsible for the conduct and delivery of the elections on the ground and is your first port of call.
Please note any complaints submitted after the deadline will not be considered. There is also a risk that results may be delayed if not fully completed before results night.
Submit a complaint here – https://aubsu.org/#/public/form/25631e10-e911-4fa2-870b-8b177e2ee8ca
Edits to rules & regulations for 2026
Campaign material being removed at the end of campaigning.
Limits and declarations of campaign team.
Seeking permission from staff to campaign in class
General tighter wording on responsibilities, appropriate behaviour, governance and compliance.
Decision around AI generated imagery.
Clubs and societies specific ruling and wider information on union roles.
Clear wording on campaign allowance and spending
Clear wording on use of private group chats
Statement of only one position in the election.
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