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Homecoming

Elections and Disputes

This page provides important information about the election process, including eligibility, voting procedures, and how potential violations or concerns are handled.

Voting Process 

  • All currently enrolled UA students may vote in the Homecoming Queen election. 
  • Voting will take place on the Tuesday before the Homecoming Game through myBama. 
  • The voting window is 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. No extensions will be granted, unless deemed appropriate by the UA Homecoming Election Board due in part to wide disruption of voting. 
  • No write-in candidates will be accepted. 
  • The winner will be the candidate receiving the highest number of votes. No run-off elections will be held. 

Announcing the Winner 

  • The election winner will be announced at the Homecoming Pep Rally and Bonfire the evening before the Homecoming Game. 
  • The Homecoming Queen will be formally crowned during halftime of the Homecoming Game. 

Elections Review and Dispute Panel 

  • A seven-member panel of students, faculty, staff, and alumni will review all disputes and complaints made from appointed members of the Homecoming Steering and Advisory Committee 
  • At least five panel members must be present to review a case. 
  • The panel’s role is to fairly review alleged violations and determine point values and sanctions. 

Filing Complaints or Violations 

  • Complaints must be submitted through the official online Elections Complaint/Violation Form. 
  • For preliminary rounds, only candidates may submit complaints. For the election process, any UA student may submit. 
  • Anonymous complaints will not be reviewed or accepted. 
  • Complaints must include: 
    • Name of the candidate/individual involved 
    • Description of the alleged violation (with date, time, and rule reference) 
    • Any evidence available 
    • Name and contact info of the filer (with electronic signature) 
  • Complaints must be filed within 24 hours of the violation (or within 24 hours of discovery) and by posted deadlines. 

Complaint Deadlines 

  • Preliminary Round: Friday, Oct. 17, by noon
  • Election Process: Wednesday, Nov. 12, by 7p.m. 

Violations and Points

Violations are assigned point values by the Elections Review and Dispute Panel. Accumulation of 15 or more points of any kind will result in disqualification. That panel may review each request independently with the information provided or request additional information from parties involved via email, in person, or by Zoom or phone discussion. The panel also has the discretion to determine a point value where there is none assigned or variance in what took place. 

All examples include, but may not be limited to the following listed: 

Minimal Violations (1–3 points per infraction) 

Smaller violations that do not appear to affect the outcome of the election. Examples include:

  • Campaigning less than 25 feet from an academic building 
  • Posting on non-designated bulletin boards in residence halls and/or violating posting policies in academic or other campus buildings 
  • Chalking on campus 
  • First late or improperly submitted financial disclosure form 

Minor Violations (3–6 points per infraction)

Clear violations that do not significantly affect the outcome of the election. Examples include:

  • Use of prohibited social media 
  • Posting campaign materials in unauthorized locations (i.e.- residence hall windows, etc) 
  • Using self-adhesive materials in prohibited locations 
  • Use of unauthorized UA emblems, logos, or copyrighted material 
  • Exceeding campaign material size restrictions 
  • Campaigning without an approved Grounds Use Permit 
  • Early campaigning not from candidate’s designated representation/team 
  • Second late or improperly submitted financial disclosure form 

Intermediate Violations (6–9 points per infraction) 

Violations that may or may not be intentional but have the potential to impact the outcome of the election. Examples include: 

  • Misuse of UA’s computer network or resources 
  • Interference with educational life of the University 
  • Sending unsolicited bulk email messages 
  • Removing or vandalizing another candidate’s materials 
  • Early campaigning by a candidate, campaign manager, or Top 5 member 
  • Residence hall door-to-door solicitation 
  • Violating off-campus campaigning rules 
  • Exceeding spending limit by 5 to 9.9% 
  • Failure to report or accurately report in-kind donations 
  • Third late or improperly submitted financial disclosure form 

Major Violations (9+ points per infraction)

Serious violations that are flagrant, intentional, or directly impact the election outcome. Examples include: 

  • Election fraud 
  • Campaign ethics violations (e.g., harassment, intimidation) Campaigning in Homecoming Board Meetings or at official Homecoming functions 
  • Exceeding spending limit by 10% or more 
  • Failure to file required financial disclosure and budget forms by the end of the campaign period 
  • Failure to attend a mandatory meeting without approved arrangements 

Disqualification 

  • Accumulating 15 or more points may result in disqualification. 

Appeals 

Decisions made by the Elections Review and Dispute Panel are final. Appeals will not be granted. 

Amendments

Process updates may be made by the Vice President for Student Life. Suggestions may be submitted in writing to the VP for review with the Homecoming Steering & Advisory Committee.