Article IV: Elections and Referenda

1. Process. All elections and referenda are held through a democratic process by secret ballot.
   1. Ballot timing. The final form of the ballot must be made public and voting must begin at least seven days prior to the completion of the election or referendum.
   2. Election timing. Applications for all Executive positions for a given academic term should be received before the first day of the lecture period for that academic term.
2. Elections Committee.
   1. Composition. The Elections Committee consists of:
      1. the Chair; and
      2. any other members appointed by consensus of the Executives.
   2. Eligibility. Elections Committee members must be general members of the DDC and have at least one term of experience as an Executive.
   3. Term. Members of the Elections Committee continue to serve until they are removed by the Executive or lose eligibility.
   4. Duties. The Elections Committee is the only one with the power and duty to:
      1. administer elections and referenda in accordance with the constitution and applicable policies;
      2. notify eligible general members of elections and referenda, with reasonable time to consider the ballot; and
      3. assist in the transition between academic terms and provide continuing support to the Executive.
   5. Restrictions. Overriding the voting rights of general members,
      1. no member of the Elections Committee administering an election can stand on the ballot for that election; and
      2. no member of the Elections Committee can cast a ballot in an election or referendum, except for the Chair, who can only cast a ballot to break a tie.
   6. Order of succession. If the Chair is vacant, the most senior member of the Elections Committee becomes the Chair. If the whole Elections Committee is vacant, the Executives assume the role of the Elections Committee. For greater certainty, when the Executives act as the Elections Committee, they are subject to the above restrictions on standing for election and voting.
   7. Resignation. In the event that the last member of the Elections Committee resigns, they must provide two weeks' notice and train a successor.
3. Declaration. Following an election or referendum, the Elections Committee must make a public announcement of the result.
   1. Disclosure. The announcement must specify when the Chair breaks a tie.
   2. Completion. The election or referendum is considered complete at the moment the announcement is made public.