Notice of Referendums to take place on 2, 3, and 4 April 2024
22 March 2024
Following an emergency meeting of Union Council on Tuesday 19 March 2024, two Referendums have been issued to coincide with the annual Executive Elections, taking place between 2-4 April. Students will be asked to vote ‘FOR’ or ‘AGAINST’ the following:
An amendment to Article 6.71. of the UCD Students' Union Constitution which will lower the quota for Constitutional referendums from 12.5% to 10%
An amendment to Article 20.1 of the UCD Students' Union Constitution which will allow for elections of continuing year Class Representatives to take place in the last four weeks of the trimester
Students interested in campaigning on a particular side of either referendum should contact the UCDSU Returning Officer by email at returningoffice@ucdsu.ie no later than 1pm on 25/03/2024.
Neutral information regarding the proposed amendments
Amendment 1:
If approved, the proposed amendment to Article 6.71 of the UCD Students' Union Constitution would lower the quota required for Constitutional Referendums from 12.5% to 10%. This means that in order for a Constitutional referendum vote to be deemed valid, it would require a voter turnout equivalent to 10% of the eligible voters within the student body.
If not approved, the conditions for Constitutional Referendums will remain unchanged under the current constitution, with a voter turnout of 12.5% of eligible voters needed to deem the vote valid for Constitutional referendums.
Amendment 2:
If approved, the proposed amendment to Article 20.1 of the UCD Students' Union Constitution would allow for elections of continuing year Class Representatives to take place in the last four weeks of the trimester. This would enable students to elect their representatives for the upcoming academic year during a time period that aligns with the end of the current trimester.
If not approved, the conditions for elections of continuing year Class Representatives will remain as they are under the current constitution, with elections for all Class Representative roles taking place in the first four weeks of the academic year.
Both referendums require the following in order to pass:
A simple majority of 50% + 1
A valid voter turnout not less than 12.5%
