The Students' Union is a democratic, membership-led organisation - this means all our club and society committee positions are elected by their members each year.
We have over 400 clubs and societies, and thousands of positions up for election each year. Whether you want to run as a candidate or discover more about the process, find everything you need on this page.
When are committee positions elected?
Clubs and societies elect their committee for the following year through the Leadership Race in term 2 each year. Last year we had 3581 candidates across 3121 club and society positions! The Leadership Race 2026 is the opportunity to elect your committee for the 2026-27 academic year.
Who will be elected?
The current committee will let us know which positions your club or society have up for election. Members will then need to nominate themselves for election through our website.
How do I run?
When you click on the nomination link you'll see all of the positions you're eligible to nominate yourself for. Add in your details - providing a photo and a manifesto always helps - and then you're all set. Please read the Election Rules to find out more about how you can campaign.
- Election Eligibility - Taster Members
From the 2024-25 academic year, only non-taster student members are able to stand and/or vote in elections.
Any students wishing to stand or vote in a club/society election must have held a standard (non-taster) membership of your club/society for at least 28 days at the point of nomination or voting.
Please ensure your members are aware of this, particularly if they intend to take part in an upcoming election.
- How to request an exception to the 28 Day Rule
Follow our instructions to submit an exception request here.
- How to make a complaint
For any complaint concerning club and society elections, please use this form. For any complaint concerning the Union elections, please use this form. Find the elections rules here. Don't forget these are slightly different to Club & Society Election Rules above. A summary of complaints received, and decisions made, by the DRO can be found on our webpage.