The upcoming Spring 2025 elections for the Student Government Association (SGA) will be held on Tuesday, February 25, and students are encouraged to participate actively. Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the myBama platform for all positions on the Executive Council and for college-specific Senator seats.
Leading up to the elections, the SGA has organized two optional candidate informational meetings via Zoom, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at 6:15 p.m. These sessions aim to inform potential candidates about the SGA's processes, the available positions, and the election timeline.
Students interested in running for office must submit their applications and statements of candidacy during the filing period, which runs from January 27 to February 2. Following this, candidates and their campaign managers are required to attend Mandatory Orientation Meetings from February 3 to February 7. These meetings will provide details on campaign guidelines and the election timeline.
A sample list of candidates, along with proposed constitutional amendments, will be made available on the SGA Elections website on February 17, six class days prior to the election. The campaigning period will coincide with this reveal, starting on February 17 and concluding on February 24, the day before the election.
On February 23, the day before the election, the SGA will host both a candidate forum and presidential debate, providing students with opportunities to hear the candidates' positions on various campus issues. This initiative aims to engage the student body and encourages informed voting.
Election Day itself will see unofficial results released at 11:59 p.m. If necessary, runoffs will occur within two to ten days after the general election, allowing for any outstanding decisions resulting from the voting process. The deadline for contesting any results from the general election is February 28, just three class days after the election.
Far beyond just the election, the SGA has also underscored its commitment to mental health advocacy by organizing events like “The Lucky Lion Race,” scheduled for March 15, which aims to raise funds for Student Counseling Services. This event emphasizes the SGA’s philanthropic focus for the year, aiming to improve access and quality for those seeking mental health support.
Following the election, applications will open for the 2025-2026 Elections Board from February 26 to March 18, paving the way for renewed student governance leadership. The new officers will be inaugurated on April 1, continuing the tradition of student representation and engagement within the university's decision-making processes.
Hope Churchill, the Student Trustee, highlighted the benefits of student engagement with the SGA. Speaking about the importance of students applying for positions, she stated, "Take a leap of faith by just applying," encouraging her peers to get involved. Meanwhile, Noah Poole, the SGA President, reflected on the administration's goals, mentioning, "I'm happy to report...out of our initial 18 executive platform objectives, our administration has been able to fully complete, or is nearing completion, 13 of these objectives." This statement exemplifies the active role the SGA plays on campus and its commitment to enhancing student life.
Through these various initiatives and the upcoming election, the SGA is striving to cultivate a stronger connection between students and their governance, making it clear – every vote matters and every voice counts.