Timeline of Elections

The 2026 GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Timeline was approved by the GSA Chief Returning Officer (CRO) in consultation with the GSA Elections and Referendum Committee (GSA ERC). This timeline has been developed in accord with GSA Bylaw and Policy, Section I: Elections, which can be found here

All times listed are in Mountain Time.

Timeline and Important Dates for the 2026 GSA General Elections & AVP Labour

Monday, 26 January 2026

at 12:00 PM (MST)

GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Nomination Period Opens

  • The nomination period will last at least fourteen (14) calendar days, from 26 January 2026 to 9 February 2026.
  • Nomination forms may be picked up at the GSA office (1-49 Triffo Hall) or online via the gsa-ualberta.ca website.

Monday, 9 February 2026 at 12:00 PM (MST) 

GSA General Election and Election of the GSA Associate Vice-President Labour Nomination Period Closes 

  • Completed nomination forms should be dropped off at the GSA office (1-49 Triffo Hall) or emailed to gsacroff@ualberta.ca. 
  • Late or incomplete nomination forms will not be accepted. 
  • Once submitted, nomination forms will be verified and signed by the CRO or the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) and an electronic signed copy will be emailed to the candidate. 
  • Once the CRO verifies a nomination form and the nomination window closes, candidates will be listed on the GSA website and will be invited to submit a bio/resume and photo to be posted on the GSA website.

Monday, 9 February 2026 at 4:00 PM (MST)

Deadline for Posting of Bios/Resumes and Photos of GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Candidates on the GSA Website

  • Deadline to receive GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour candidate bios/resumes and photos to post on the GSA website.
  • If a candidate elects not to provide a bio/resume, it will be stated as such on the website.

Monday, 9 February 2026 at 2:00 PM (MST) 

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MANDATORY MEETING FOR

ALL CANDIDATES

GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour All-Candidates Meeting

  • Attendance at the All-Candidates Meeting is mandatory, as well as associated meeting materials, will be sent to all candidates following the close of the nomination period.
  • Failure to attend without adequate excuse to the CRO is grounds for disqualification.
  • A scribe will be present at the All-Candidates Meeting and, shortly after the meeting, notes will be distributed to all candidates.

Monday, 9 February 2026 at 4:00 PM (MST) 

GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Campaign Period Begins 

  • The campaign period will last at seven (7) calendar days and will begin no earlier than the conclusion of the All-Candidates Meeting.
  • The campaign period will run from 9 February 2026 to 19 February 2026. This includes the two (2) day voting period.

Thursday, 12 February 2026 at 12:00 PM (MST)

Deadline for Confirmation of Attendance at the GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Forum 

  • Deadline to receive GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour candidate confirmation of attendance at the forum.
  • Candidates who have not confirmed their attendance will be assumed to be not participating in the forum.

Thursday 12 February 2026 at 2:00 PM (MST)

Candidates’ pre-meeting is scheduled for 1:45 PM (MST)

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MANDATORY MEETING FOR

ALL CANDIDATES

GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Forum

  • A GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour candidates’ forum will be hosted, open to all graduate students to attend. A recording of the forum will be posted on the GSA website.
  • Candidates are asked to attend a pre-meeting with the moderator and CRO in advance of the forum.

Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 10:00 AM (MST)

GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Voting Period Opens

  • The voting period will last forty-eight (48) hours from 10:00 AM (MST) on Tuesday, 17 February to 10:00 AM (MST) on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
  • Campaigning is allowed during the voting period.
  • The ballot for the GSA General Election will be open to all GSA members, the ballot for the election of the Associate Vice-President Labour will be open to all academically-employed graduate students.

Thursday, 19 February 2026 at 10:00 AM (MST)

GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Campaigning and Voting Periods Close

  • Voting and campaigning close at 10:00 AM (MST).

Thursday, 19 February 2026 at 12:00 PM (MST)

Deadline for GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Campaign-Related Expenses and Receipts Submission

  • Following the campaign period, candidates will be asked to submit to the CRO a report of all campaign-related expenses and associated receipts no later than two (2) hours after the close of the voting period (to be submitted electronically to the CRO via gsaca@ualberta.ca; photos of receipts must also be submitted and a form will be provided to all candidates at the All-Candidates Meeting).

Thursday, 19 February 2026  at 12:00PM 

GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Announcement of Provisional Results

  • Provisional results are subject to change due to possible outstanding complaints to the CRO and appeals of CRO decisions.

Friday, 20 February 2026 at 12:00PM 

Deadline to Lodge an Alleged Breach Associated with the GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour with the CRO

  • This deadline is set at twenty-four (24) hours after the announcement of provisional results for the GSA General Election and election of the Associate Vice-President Labour. 

Friday, 20 February 2026 at 2:00PM – Tentative, Pending Release of Provisional Results

GSA General Election and Election of the Associate Vice-President Labour Announcement of Official Results

  • Official results will be announced once the deadline to lodge a complaint about alleged breaches has passed.