Detailed Unofficial Results Are Available

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This spring, the 2026 UVSS General Election and Referenda saw a turnout of 2,156 voters (11.9% of the student body). We want to extend a huge thank you so much to the candidates and voters for participating in your student democracy and making your voice heard!

Referenda Results

Four key referendum questions were on the ballot this year, and all four were approved:

  • UVSS CPI Adjustment: Passed with 52.0% (949 votes).

  • Martlet Fee: Passed with 55.3% (1,043 votes).

  • Clubs and Course Unions Fee: Passed with 61.3% (1,188 votes).

  • Uni 101 Fee Removal: Passed with an overwhelming 95.3% (1,873 votes).

How We Count Your Vote

The UVSS uses two different voting systems depending on how many candidates are running for a specific position.

First-Past-The-Post (questions with two choices)

When there are two choices for a question, we use the old fashioned First-Past-The-Post system. This is the same system used in Canadian federal and provincial elections.

  • How it works: The candidate who receives the most votes wins the seat. Simple majority is the most direct way to determine a winner when there are exactly two choices.

Single Transferable Vote (three or more choices)

For races with three or more candidates, the UVSS uses a ranked ballot system called known as Single Transferable Vote.

  • How it works: Instead of picking just one person, you rank candidates in order of preference (first choice, second choice, third choice, and so on).

  • The counting process: If no candidate gets more than 50% of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Their supporters’ votes are then transferred to their next choice. This continues until a candidate reaches a majority.

Why So Many Rounds?

If you look at the detailed results for the Director-at-Large positions, you’ll notice the count went through 21 rounds! While that might seem like a lot, it is actually typical for a competition with this many people running for this many positions.

In a race where 11 directors are being chosen from a large pool of candidates, the system meticulously moves through rounds to ensure that every seat is filled by someone who carries a legitimate share of student support.

Sounds Complicated! Why This system?

Ranked ballots provide a more accurate representation of student preference and ensure a wide range of beliefs are represented because:

  • There are No “Wasted” Votes: You can vote for your favourite candidate without worrying about “splitting the vote” or accidentally helping someone you dislike win.

  • True Preference: It allows you to express your full range of opinions. You aren’t forced to choose the “lesser of two evils”—you can vote for who you actually want, knowing your backup choices still count if your first pick is eliminated.

⚠️ Reminder: Results are unofficial until expense reports have been verified, all complaints and appeals are settled, and the current UVSS board of directors ratifies the Chief Electoral Officer’s report.

Full, detailed unofficial results can be found at this link.