Steps for Candidacy
Candidates should review these required and optional steps before and during their campaign to stay on track throughout the election process.
Decide your preferred form of candidacy
Individual candidate
- Must run independently if choosing not to run as part of a slate
- Not permitted to campaign with others
- Must submit Independent Candidate Application
Collective of Candidates (Slates)
- A slate must consist of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) candidates running together
- Those declared as a slate are permitted to campaign together
- Although candidates may campaign together, each individual is considered one (1) candidate (ticket) when it comes to the vote itself
- If running on a slate: A slate registration form must be completed. All independent candidates on the slate must submit Independent Candidate Application and all presidential tickets on the slate a Presidential Ticket Application
- Note: All slate members will be disqualified if required forms are not submitted by the deadlines, or if a complaint is filed against the slate and upheld by the Elections Complaint Committee (ECC)
- From February 18 through April 2 at 7:59 a.m., candidates interested in running in the ASI Election as part of a slate may communicate and coordinate with other interested candidates to form a slate. To be officially recognized, the slate declaration form must be fully completed and submitted before campaigning begins at 8:00 a.m. on April 2. Once the campaigning period begins at 8:00 a.m. on April 2, candidates may not edit their slate, add members, or make any other changes. No exceptions to this deadline will be made under any circumstances.
Presidential Ticket
- Consists of one (1) candidate for President and one (1) candidate for Executive Vice President
- The two candidates are considered one (1) candidate or “ticket”
- Candidates seeking either position must secure a running mate
- Running mates are permitted to campaign together
- Must submit the Presidential Ticket Application
- Note: Disqualification of the entire presidential ticket will occur if required forms are not submitted by the deadlines, or if a complaint is filed against the ticket and upheld by the Elections Complaint Committee (ECC)
- Note: If either President or Executive Vice President decide to withdraw from the elections process, BOTH candidates will be removed from the ballot.
Mandatory Candidate Requirements
Applications for Candidacy
Application Deadline: Monday, March 9, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.
- Select the Appropriate Application
- Complete either the Candidate Application for ASI Presidential Ticket OR the Candidate Application for ASI Independent Candidate.
- Complete All Required Information
- Fill out the application fully and carefully. Review all sections before submitting.
- Submit the Application
- Click the Submit button located at the bottom of the form.
Important Reminders
- All candidates must attend one mandatory candidate workshop prior to the application deadline. Please see dates and times below.
- You may apply for only one position per election cycle.
Questions or Assistance ?
- If you have questions, please call the ASI Student Government Office (916) 278-6784.
Mandatory Candidate Workshop(s)
All candidates are required to attend one (1) Candidate Workshop scheduled below prior to the filing deadline of the Candidate Election Application, on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
Candidates must attend the entire workshop session. Please arrive on time, as late arrivals or early departures will result in the workshop not being credit. All late arrivals will be required to attend another workshop.
*Per Elections Code IV.C
- Attendance at a Candidate Workshop is mandatory for all candidates prior to the deadline for filing Candidate Election Packets.
- Failure to attend a mandatory workshop will result in ineligibility to run for office.
- Candidates who are unable to attend during the scheduled workshop times may contact the Executive Director to request special arrangements. Approval is subject to the Executive Director’s availability.
- Candidates will only be posted as eligible to campaign when the workshop is completed and all other requirements are met.
Must Attend One Presentation
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wed., February 18, 2026 | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. |
Forest Suite, University Union, 2nd fl. |
| Tue., February 24, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. |
Forest Suite, University Union, 2nd fl. |
| Mon., March 2, 2026 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. |
Green and Gold Room, University Union, 3rd fl. |
| Thu., March 5, 2026 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. |
Valley Suite, University Union, 3rd fl. |
Mandatory Ethic Workshop(s)
Must attend one of the below workshops after confirmation of eligibility.
The Office of Student Affairs shall host a mandatory workshop for eligible candidates prior to the onset of the official campaign period. Candidates will only be posted as eligible to campaign when the workshop is completed and all other requirements are met.
Candidates must attend the entire workshop session. Please arrive on time, as late arrivals or early departures will result in the workshop not being credit. All late arrivals will be required to attend another workshop.
*Per Elections Code IV.C
- Attendance at a Candidate Workshop is mandatory for all candidates prior to the deadline for filing Candidate Election Packets.
- Failure to attend a mandatory workshop will result in ineligibility to run for office.
- Candidates will only be posted as eligible to campaign when the workshop is completed and all other requirements are met.
- No campaigning of any kind will be permitted prior to posting of eligibility, and the onset of official campaign period.
Must Attend One Workshop
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tue., March 17, 2026 | 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. |
Cottonwood Suite III, University Union, 2nd fl. |
| Wed., March 18, 2026 | 11:00 – 12:30 p.m. |
Cottonwood Suite III, University Union, 2nd fl. |
Mandatory Campaign Expenditure Form
Must be completed even if no money is spent. Failure to submit by 4:00 PM will result in disqualification.
| Form | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Presidential Ticket Campaign Expenditure Form (Must be turned in personally by either the President & Executive Vice President, even if no expenses. Must be signed by both.) | Mon., April 27 2026 | 4 p.m. |
ASI Government Office, University Union, 3rd fl. |
| 2026 Independent Candidate Campaign Expenditure Form (Must be turned in personally, even if no expenses. Must be signed by candidate.) | Mon., April 27 2026 | 4 p.m. |
ASI Government Office, University Union, 3rd fl. |
| 2026 Slates Campaign Expenditure Form (Must be turned personally in by the Slate Manager or one of the Slate Members, even if no expenses. Must be signed by all slate members.) | Mon., April 27 2026 | 4 p.m. | ASI Government Office, University Union, 3rd fl. |
Helpful Documents
2026 Roadmap for Office
2026 Roadmap to Office Diagram
Optional Steps for Candidacy
Slate Declaration Form
All candidates interested in running their campaign on a slate must complete the slate declaration form here prior to the start of the official campaigning period on April 2, 2026 at 8 a.m.
Candidate Forums
| Candidate Forum | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Letters Black Honors College Business Education |
Fri., April 3, 2026 | 9:00a – 10:00a | Online Via ZOOM Meeting ID: 833 5277 5416 Passcode: 869884 |
| Engineering & Computer Science Health & Human Services Natural Sciences & Mathematics |
Fri., April 3, 2026 | 10:30a – 11:30a |
Online Via ZOOM |
| Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Studies Undeclared Students Graduate Students |
Fri., April 3, 2026 | 12:30p – 1:30p | Online Via ZOOM Meeting ID: 856 3543 0602 Passcode: 693644 |
| Vice President of Finance Vice President of University Affairs Vice President of Academic Affairs |
Fri., April 3, 2026 | 2:00p – 3:00p | Online Via ZOOM Meeting ID: 826 5910 9994 Passcode: 499878 |
| Presidential Ticket: President & Executive Vice President |
Fri., April 3, 2026 | 3:30p – 4:30p | Online Via ZOOM Meeting ID: 830 5488 6521 Passcode: 578535 |
Candidate Endorsements
ASI Welcomes student clubs and organizations to support Elections candidates during their campaigning process. To formally endorse any candidate(s) the endorsement form must be completed by the candidate and submitted no later than Friday, April 17 at 12:00 PM (noon). All endorsements must be submitted by this deadline. A wet signature is required.
Endorsements may be reviewed by students in the ASI Government Office, University Union, 3rd fl. during regular business hours. A physical photo ID is required.
2026 Presidential Ticket Endorsement Letter
2026 Independent Candidate Endorsement Letter
If you are running as part of a slate and want endorsements, you must fill out the endorsement form. If a club or organization wants to endorse everyone on your slate, they must submit a separate endorsement form for each candidate or presidential ticket.
Example:
If a slate includes:
- 1 presidential ticket
- 1 Vice President of Academic Affairs
- 1 College of Business Director
- 1 College of Health & Human Services Director
And a club wants to endorse all of them, they must submit 4 endorsement forms total:
- 1 form for the presidential ticket
- 1 form for each of the three individual candidates
Clubs and organizations do not have to endorse the entire slate. They can choose to endorse only specific candidates if they prefer.