Elections

Fall 2026 First-Year and Transfer Elections:

Nominations are OPEN from Sept 18 at 9:00am to Sept 25 at 4:30pm

Are you a first-year or transfer student looking to make an impact at UWM? The Student Government First-Year and Transfer Elections are your opportunity to get involved, represent your peers, and help shape the student experience.

Elected representatives serve as a voice for first-year and transfer students in Student Government, bringing student perspectives and priorities to campus discussions and decision-making. Whether you’re passionate about academics, campus life, student services, sustainability, or making UWM a better place for students, Student Government is a chance to turn your ideas into action.

Learn more about the election process, important dates, eligibility requirements, and how to get involved below.

Open Nomination Form

First-Year & Transfer Election Timeline — Fall 2026

September 18 — Nominations Open
Nominations open at 9:00 AM. Students interested in running can complete the nomination form through Panther Presence. Paper signature sheets will be available online, and digital signature sheets will be created by SAPS after the nomination form is submitted.

September 25 — Nominations Close
Nominations close at 4:30 PM. All required signature sheets must be submitted virtually, with paper copies turned in by the deadline.

September 28–October 2 — Signature Verification & Campaign Training
The Independent Election Commission will verify candidate signatures. All candidates are required to attend campaign training during this period. Candidates will receive an email with a poll to determine training times.

October 4–11 — Campaign Week
Candidates may campaign during this period. All campaign materials, including online posts, must be removed by 11:59 PM on Sunday, October 11.

October 13 — Election Day
Voting will take place online from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM. Students will receive a voting link through their UWM email.

October 14 — Winners Validated & Announced
Election results will be validated and winners will be announced on the UWM Student Association elections website. Candidates will also receive their results by email.

TBD — Senate Swearing-In
Elected First-Year and Transfer Senators will be sworn in at a Student Government Senate meeting. The date will be announced at a later time.

Open Nomination Form Report a Campaign Violation Signature Collection Sheet

Election Cycle

Spring

The main election in which students vote in their Student Body President, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Student Affairs, Academic Senators and Advocacy Senators. Voting occurs in April, but nominations begin in late January.

Fall

Specifically for First-Year and Transfer Students because these populations generally do not get to campus until the fall semester and they are elected in early October.

Debates

The IEC will host two debates this spring: the formal debate and the town hall debate. Students are encouraged to submit a question for the town hall (Form will be available in early April).