Section VI – Disputes

Important: Any violations of these rules will result in a report to the Elections Coordinator or designee resulting in possible sanctions including but not limited to removal of your promotion privileges.

  1. Complaints
    1. Any person having knowledge or suspicion that a candidate or candidate’s agent has violated any of the rules governing these elections may file a complaint with the Elections Commissioner in Charge of Disputes on the designated form.
    2. Upon submission of a complaint, the race involved will be considered “in dispute”.  The Elections Commission shall hear any and all complaints within five (5) working days of receipt. (Not to include Saturday or Sunday.)
  2. Deadlines
    1. All complaints must be filed within thirty (30) minutes after the polls have closed on the last day of elections. No complaint filed after this deadline will be considered.
  3. Hearings
    1. Once a complaint has been accepted and filed, the Elections Commissioner in Charge of Disputes is responsible for notifying all candidates and individuals against whom a complaint has been filed and those who have filed the complaint as to the place and time of a hearing.  This notification must be made pursuant to Section VI, Subsection A.
    2. The hearing will be open and conducted pursuant to the rules and regulations that follow:
      1. Normal Parliamentary procedures must be followed.
      2. Quorum must be established with a majority of the Elections Commissioners present and voting.
      3. In the event of an absence of the Elections Coordinator, a temporary Chairperson must be selected. (Chairperson votes only in the case of a tie.)
      4. The complaint will be read as filed by the Elections Commissioner in Charge of Disputes.
      5. The alleged violator is given five (5) minutes to make a statement.
      6. The complainant is given five (5) minutes to make a statement.
      7. The alleged violator is given five (5) minutes to respond.
      8. The Elections Commission and at least one of the SGA Advisors are given two (2) hours behind closed doors to debate the issue and may call in anyone who may assist the Commission in reaching a decision.
      9. The Elections Commission must then declare the alleged violator innocent or guilty and announce sanctions if any.
  4. Sanctions
    1. Issue a verbal warning to the violator.
    2. Issue a written warning to the violator.
    3. Restriction of supplies from violator.
    4. Restrict candidate and/or agent campaigning.
    5. Removal of agents and/or campaigning staff.
    6. Eliminate the candidate from the elections.
  5. Malfeasance of Office – Removal of candidate from office as a result of violation of Election Rules
    Clear and convincing evidence must be presented in each case.  This is extreme and should be used only for such cases as, but not limited to:
    1. Fraudulent manipulation of vote count, voting twice.
    2. False statements about opponent.
    3. Propagation of falsehoods about oneself.
    4. Failing to comply with a sanction.