When it comes to Students’ Association elections, your voice matters. That’s why we use a voting system designed to be fair, inclusive, and reflective of what students actually want. It’s called Alternative Transferable Voting (ATV), and while it might sound complicated, it’s actually a really simple and powerful way to vote.

Let’s break it down.

🗳️ What is Alternative Transferable Voting?

Alternative Transferable Voting is a system where you rank candidates in order of preference, rather than choosing just one.

Instead of asking, “Who do I want to vote for?”, ATV asks:

“Who do I prefer most… and who would I support if my first choice doesn’t win?”

This means your vote can still have an impact even if your top choice isn’t elected.

❓How Do I Vote?

When you receive your ballot, you’ll see a list of candidates (and sometimes options like Re‑Open Nominations).

You simply:

• Rank your first choice as 1
• Rank your second choice as 2
• Continue ranking as many or as few candidates as you like

There’s no pressure to rank everyone—only do what feels right for you. 

Give voting a Go

How Are Votes Counted?

This is where the “transferable” part comes in.

1️⃣ Step 1: First preferences are counted

All the number 1 votes are counted first. If a candidate reaches the number of votes they need to win (called the quota), they’re elected.

2️⃣ Step 2: Lowest candidate is removed

If no one reaches the quota, the candidate with the fewest votes is removed from the race.

3️⃣ Step 3: Votes are transferred

The votes for that candidate aren’t lost. Instead, they’re transferred to the voters’ next preference (their number 2 choice).

4️⃣ Step 4: Repeat until a winner is chosen

This process continues until a candidate reaches the quota and is elected.

In short: your vote keeps moving until it helps elect someone.

🤔 Why Do We Use This System?

Alternative Transferable Voting is used because it’s:

✅ Fairer

It reduces “wasted votes” and better reflects the views of the whole student community.

✅ More inclusive

You’re not forced to choose just one candidate—you can support multiple people in order of preference.

✅ More representative

Winners are elected with broader support, not just a small group of voters.

🥲 What If I Don’t Like Any of the Candidates?

That’s okay—you still have a voice.

Most student elections include Re‑Open Nominations (RON). This lets you say that you don’t think any of the current candidates should be elected and that you’d like the election to be run again with new options.

RON is counted just like any other candidate, so it’s a meaningful choice—not a protest vote.

Learn more about RON

🥳 Why Your Vote Matters

Student elections shape who represents you, who speaks up on your behalf, and who leads change across the university. Alternative Transferable Voting makes sure your opinion is heard even if your first choice doesn’t win.

Every preference you rank helps build a clearer picture of what students want—and that’s powerful.

So when it’s time to vote, take a moment, rank your preferences, and know that your voice truly counts.