Policy Ballot

The Union sometimes holds referenda, or ‘policy ballots’, in which every single UEA student has the opportunity to vote on a certain issue. A policy ballot is the highest method of making Union policy, as its decision cannot be overturned within three years, except by another policy ballot.

Policy ballots tend to be over controversial issues. In 2006-7, there were several policy ballots, including one to reverse the boycott of Coca-Cola.

Policy ballots can be called in a number of different ways:

• By 1/30th of the members of the Union (about 500 students) signing a petition calling for a policy ballot on a particular issue;
• By a majority of members attending a Union General Meeting calling for a policy ballot;
• By the majority of Union Council members voting for a policy ballot;
• By the majority of the Union Executive Committee voting to call a policy ballot.

For more information on policy ballots contact the Communications Officer.

Policy can also be passed by Union Council. For more details on the Union’s existing policy take a look at the policy archive.