Chief Returning Officer: Difference between revisions

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===Online Voting System===

===Town Halls, Forums, and Debates===

The [[General Assembly]] of Fall 2017 resulted in a change to the organization of referendum forum for discussion. Previously, it was expected that the CRO arrange a debate between all [[Electoral_and_Referendum_Bylaws#Article.C2.A09:_Referendum.E2.80.8B_.E2.80.8BCommittee|Referendum Committees]], however, in the event where all Referendum Committees support a ''Yes'' vote for their respective referendum question, a debate is not a productive format for distribution of information to the EUS. Therefore, [[Electoral_and_Referendum_Bylaws#Article.C2.A03:_Responsibilities.C2.A0|Article 3.1.9]] now reads:

{{pull quote|Elections EUS should organize a public forum for discussion between all referendum committees the format of which is to the discretion of the CRO.}}

This public forum for discussion could take a variety of forms, combining digital and physical mediums. Publicly accessible online forms for submitting questions are generally a good way of providing an anonymous way for students to get to know more about the referendum questions, particularly if

====Debates====

Organization of candidate debates for the EUS Executive Committee Election is one of the more labor-intensive aspects of the portfolio, as well as one of the most publicly visible. A smooth, well-run debate is beneficial to the candidates, the attendees, as well as EUS Elections. The smoother and quicker the elections run, the more likely it is that attendees will wait until the end. If debates run too long, or are too confusing or poorly moderated, attendees often become frustrated or [more] uncaring than usual, and are more likely to leave.

For the Winter 2018 EUS Executive Committee Election, the CRO opted to have a dedicated debate moderator to separate the responsibilities of managing the logistics of debate along with observation of debate rules. This proved to be a positive choice, as the moderator and CRO worked together to screen questions submitted through the online questions submission Google form. The moderator presented questions to candidates, timed candidate response periods, gave end-of-speaking-period warnings to candidates, etc. The CRO communicated to candidates throughout the debates, helped screen online submitted questions, coordinated delivery of food/drinks, coordinated clean-up, and ensured that other online communications were monitored.

It is also encouraged to have a livestream of debates for students who are interested in tuning in, but are unable to attend for whatever reason. If livestreaming is used, it is recommended to put a microphone as close as possible to the candidates, because otherwise you will need to have someone transcribing all questions/answers/follow-ups.

Some recommendations for future CROs regarding debates organization:

* Book the space out way the heck ahead of time. The EUS Common Room is the classic debate spot because we are allowed to have food, it has ample seating and electronic capabilities, and semi-decent wifi. If debates are held in a classroom, you cannot serve food ''in the room'', and need to go through the [http://events.campus.mcgill.ca/|McGill event booking website].

* Ensure that vegetarian options are provided for with the food ordered. These are usually easy to accommodate with pizza, and gluten-free pizzas can also be ordered if necessary.

* Provide candidates with a detailed document indicating the format for debate, including, but not limited to: time limits, order of candidates, strike policy for instances of slander/time violations/etc., digital accommodations, etc.

* Arrange for long distance candidates ahead of time, ensure good connectivity for their choice of video calling.

* Ensure that any special time/debate accommodations made for candidates are

===Improving Turnout===

- incentive history

- buttons/stickers

- need to have better recruitment for tabling

- inclusion of puppies? Puppy pats for voting

- puppy cover photos

- live updates of departmental voting rates (incentives to the highest voter turnout department)

==Selection Process and Accountability==

==Relevant Articles and Links==

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 ===Online Voting System===
 ===Town Halls, Forums, and Debates===
+The [[General Assembly]] of Fall 2017 resulted in a change to the organization of referendum forum for discussion. Previously, it was expected that the CRO arrange a debate between all [[Electoral_and_Referendum_Bylaws#Article.C2.A09:_Referendum.E2.80.8B_.E2.80.8BCommittee|Referendum Committees]], however, in the event where all Referendum Committees support a ''Yes'' vote for their respective referendum question, a debate is not a productive format for distribution of information to the EUS. Therefore, [[Electoral_and_Referendum_Bylaws#Article.C2.A03:_Responsibilities.C2.A0|Article 3.1.9]] now reads:
+{{pull quote|Elections EUS should organize a public forum for discussion between  all referendum committees the format of which is to the discretion of  the CRO.}}
+This public forum for discussion could take a variety of forms, combining digital and physical mediums. Publicly accessible online forms for submitting questions are generally a good way of providing an anonymous way for students to get to know more about the referendum questions, particularly if
+====Debates====
+Organization of candidate debates for the EUS Executive Committee Election is one of the more labor-intensive aspects of the portfolio, as well as one of the most publicly visible. A smooth, well-run debate is beneficial to the candidates, the attendees, as well as EUS Elections. The smoother and quicker the elections run, the more likely it is that attendees will wait until the end. If debates run too long, or are too confusing or poorly moderated, attendees often become frustrated or [more] uncaring than usual, and are more likely to leave.
+For the Winter 2018 EUS Executive Committee Election, the CRO opted to have a dedicated debate moderator to separate the responsibilities of managing the logistics of debate along with observation of debate rules. This proved to be a positive choice, as the moderator and CRO worked together to screen questions submitted through the online questions submission Google form. The moderator presented questions to candidates, timed candidate response periods, gave end-of-speaking-period warnings to candidates, etc. The CRO communicated to candidates throughout the debates, helped screen online submitted questions, coordinated delivery of food/drinks, coordinated clean-up, and ensured that other online communications were monitored.
+It is also encouraged to have a livestream of debates for students who are interested in tuning in, but are unable to attend for whatever reason. If livestreaming is used, it is recommended to put a microphone as close as possible to the candidates, because otherwise you will need to have someone transcribing all questions/answers/follow-ups.
+Some recommendations for future CROs regarding debates organization:
+* Book the space out way the heck ahead of time. The EUS Common Room is the classic debate spot because we are allowed to have food, it has ample seating and electronic capabilities, and semi-decent wifi. If debates are held in a classroom, you cannot serve food ''in the room'', and need to go through the [http://events.campus.mcgill.ca/|McGill event booking website].
+* Ensure that vegetarian options are provided for with the food ordered. These are usually easy to accommodate with pizza, and gluten-free pizzas can also be ordered if necessary.
+* Provide candidates with a detailed document indicating the format for debate, including, but not limited to: time limits, order of candidates, strike policy for instances of slander/time violations/etc., digital accommodations, etc.
+* Arrange for long distance candidates ahead of time, ensure good connectivity for their choice of video calling.
+* Ensure that any special time/debate accommodations made for candidates are
+===Improving Turnout===
+- incentive history
+- buttons/stickers
+- need to have better recruitment for tabling
+- inclusion of puppies? Puppy pats for voting
+- puppy cover photos
+- live updates of departmental voting rates (incentives to the highest voter turnout department)
 ==Selection Process and Accountability==
 ==Relevant Articles and Links==