What is R.O.N (Re-Open Nominations)?
R.O.N (Re-Open Nominations) is an option on your ballot that gives you more choice and control in elections. If you don’t think any of the candidates running for a position are the right fit, you can vote for R.O.N instead.
Why does R.O.N exist?
R.O.N is there to make sure that elections are fair, competitive, and truly represent what students want. Having R.O.N on the ballot means that students have a way of saying:
- “None of these candidates are quite right – let’s give someone else a chance.”
- “I believe this role should be filled, but I’d like to see more options.”
What happens if R.O.N wins?
If R.O.N gets the most votes for a role, the election for that position is re-opened, and a new election will be held. The Students' Union will advertise for more students to come forward and apply for the position.
When should you vote R.O.N?
You might choose to vote for R.O.N if:
- You feel none of the candidates, or none of the remaining candidates, are suitable for the role.
- You want to see a stronger candidate pool.
- You believe the role should be filled, but not by the current candidates.
What shouldn’t R.O.N be used for?
- If you just don’t like a particular candidate – rank them lower, or leave them off the ballot instead.
- If you’re not sure who to vote for – take a look at candidates' applications first!
How does R.O.N work in Ranked Voting?
The HSU election uses a Ranked Voting system (often called Alternative Vote - read more here), which means you can rank candidates in order of preference. You can place R.O.N at any point in your ranking – for example:
- Candidate A
- Candidate B
- R.O.N
This means:
- You prefer Candidate A and Candidate B over R.O.N, but if they’re eliminated, you’d rather re-open nominations than elect another candidate.
- If R.O.N is your first choice, you’re saying you don’t think any of the candidates are suitable, and you’d prefer the election to be re-run.