With the Spring 2026 Student Government elections at the University of North Florida approaching, students running for office met in the Senate chambers for a mandatory candidacy meeting on Feb. 25. 

At Wednesday’s meeting, Supervisor of Elections Asvidhi Ladumor and Deputy Supervisor of Elections Aniya Barthelemy gave an overview of the election timeline and clarified campaign rules for candidates.

When will voting take place?

Voting will take place on campus on Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. In-person voting will be in the Osprey Plaza, and online voting will be available through Perch Portal, according to the SG Office of Elections. 

Unofficial election results will be released on Wednesday, March 11, and the Senate will validate election results on Friday, March 27, at noon in the Senate Chambers. 

The newly elected candidates will then be sworn in on Friday, April 10, at the same location at noon. 

Candidate Events 

Students have two key opportunities to meet the candidates for the Spring election, including the designated Meet and Greet day for senatorial candidates and the SG Presidential debate.

The Candidate Meet and Greet will take place during Market Day on March 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m in the Student Union Plaza.  

The SG Presidential debate will be held on March 3 in the Student Union (Bldg. 58W, Rooms 3703A&B) from noon to 2 p.m. 

The Spring 2026 presidential candidates are Senator Ben Shmia of the SAM party and Budget & Allocations Committee Chair Hazel Joseph of the Talon party. 

Campaigning for Senators

In her PowerPoint presentation, Ladumor also clarified the campaign rules that candidates must follow during the course of campaigning.

“Signage on campus, social media platforms, tabling, and in-person canvassing are extremely effective campaigning,” said Ladumor. 

According to the Office of Elections, student campaigning is allowed on campus, except on the Student Union’s third floor, in the SG offices, the Housing and Residence Life buildings, and classrooms, unless faculty or staff provide written approval. 

Independent candidates must also seek approval from the Office of Elections before posting campaign information on social media. 

If under a political party, candidates must refer to their party chair, and the campaigning posts must be posted solely on party accounts. 

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