Voting for 2026-2027 SUO GENERAL ELECTIONS opens March 3, 2026.
We are excited to have you back on campus! We hope your Reading Break gave you the chance to slow down, recharge, and breathe a little. That mid‑semester pause is always needed, even if it never quite feels long enough. Now that we’re easing back into routines, classes, and deadlines, it’s the perfect moment to look ahead at what’s coming up over the next few weeks on campus.
As the end of the term approaches, the SUO enters one of the most important periods of the year: election season. This is when students shape the future of the Student Union and the services, advocacy, and campus experiences that define student life at UBCO. Whether you’re deeply involved in student governance or casually navigating the semester, these elections affect you more than you might think.
This year’s SUO General Elections officially open on March 3rd at 8:00 AM through Simply Voting, the secure online platform used to ensure fair and accessible elections for all students. Every undergraduate student receives access through their UBCO email, making participation simple and convenient. Taking a few minutes to cast your ballot is one of the most direct ways to influence the direction of student services and support on campus for the coming academic year.
Before voting begins, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the candidates running for various SUO positions. Each candidate brings their own experiences, goals, and vision for the future of the student body. Learning more about their platforms allows you to make informed choices about who best represents your values and the needs of students like you. You can view all candidate profiles, statements, and submitted materials through the SUO Elections page, linked here: https://www.suo.ca/general-election-candidates-2026-2027/.
Alongside choosing your representatives, this election cycle includes another decision that will significantly impact everyday student life: the U‑Pass referendum. The U‑Pass provides affordable, unlimited access to local transit, and thousands of UBCO students rely on it for commuting to campus, work, and around Kelowna. Keeping the U‑Pass requires undergraduate and graduate students to vote “YES” during the referendum, which runs concurrently with the general elections. Voting “YES” helps ensure that this essential service remains available and accessible for the upcoming year. If you want to understand the full importance of the U‑Pass, its benefits, and the implications of the referendum, you can learn more here: https://www.suo.ca/referendum/.
As we enter this busy but exciting part of the semester, your participation matters more than you may realize. Voting is not just about selecting leaders; it’s about shaping your student experience and strengthening the services that support our community. So, take the time to read through the candidates, learn about the referendum, and get ready to cast your ballot when voting opens on March 3rd at 8:00 AM and closes Friday, March 6th 2026 at 11:59pm.
Welcome back, and let’s finish this term strong—together.
