Constitution, Legal Code Govern Elections

The election of officers for the coming year is one of the most exciting parts of the General Assembly for many delegates.

Candidates are nominated on Friday evening, and secret-ballot elections are on Saturday afternoon. The Attorney General oversees the election process.

Elections are governed by the TISL Constitution (particularly Article V) and the Election Procedures Act.

Any delegate from a participating college is eligible to run for office. Nominations are made from the floor, first in separate sessions for Senate and House officers and then in a joint session for Governor and Secretary of State.

Candidates must win by a majority of votes cast. Sometimes a second-ballot runoff is necessary immediately after the first ballot.

Officers begin their terms when the General Assembly adjourns on Sunday. Officers are limited to a single term by the Constitution, so current officers won't be running for re-election.

The six elected officers join the State Treasurer (appointed by the Governor), the Attorney General and the Chief Justice (both elected by the Supreme Court) to form the Executive Council, which governs TISL through the year.

39th General Assembly, November 2008

Election Strategies

Before You Arrive

• Bring a full delegation from your college.
• Contact nearby colleges and encourage them to participate in TISL. People you meet before the GA are more likely to support you.
• Contact friends at other colleges and encourage them to join their school's TISL delegation.
• Attend the Regional Workshop in your Grand Division.
• Learn about TISL by reading the History of TISL and studying the TISL Constitution.
• Prepare and introduce several good bills.
• Develop specific ideas for your campaign platform. How can you improve TISL and be a successful officer?

After You Arrive

• Meet people, meet people, meet people.
• Choose your race strategically. Small colleges, for example, have more clout in the Senate and therefore more sway over the races for Speaker and Speaker Pro Tem of the Senate.
• Speak up in committees and on the floor so that people get to know you.
• Attend the Campaign School at lunchtime on Friday.
• Organize coalitions with delegations and groups that have candidates in other races.