After the application and interview process is completed, five Homecoming Queen candidates will be selected based on their performance across the application process. These candidates will then have two weeks before the election to order campaign material and plan a campus-wide campaign. Their statement of intent and a photo will be published on the Homecoming website.
Campaigning is defined as, but not limited to, any written statement, speaking engagement, display or active distribution of any campaign material and/or activity that is intended to encourage voting for an individual candidate or group of candidates. The candidate is responsible for communicating campaign guidelines to their campaign team and groups where they have active membership. Should any person, including faculty and staff, campaigning for a particular candidate be found in any violation of any guideline, the candidate will be held responsible. Campaigning does not include reporting by media outlets on any candidate.
Posting of banners must follow Tuscaloosa city ordinances for political signage. Candidates are cautioned about campaigning off campus due to potential violations of city and county laws. Violation of solicitation policies of apartment complexes, condominiums, businesses, etc. could result in prosecution.
Candidates will have a campaign expense limit of $500 for campaign materials and marketing support. This budget may include in-kind sponsorship, meaning a donation of items, goods or services. The in-kind donation would have to be from a business or registered student organization and they would have to show proof of monetary value of the item given. Here are a few additional details regarding campaign materials:
Only UA students eligible to vote in the UA Homecoming Queen election or groups meeting the UA designation of SOURCE registered orgs or those comprised exclusively of UA students eligible to vote may, with prior approval of the candidate, publicly endorse a candidate. Candidates may be contacted by any University of Alabama registered organization for the purposes of speaking at meetings to seek endorsements.
Any public endorsement must include the disclaimer statement below: (Organization name) endorses (candidate name) for (insert position). Our members’ votes are their own and they have the right to choose whether to vote and whom to vote for. We encourage all voters to research any and all candidates and to decide for themselves.
Endorsement from groups, organizations, or individuals outside the campus and its population is strictly prohibited. Members of the faculty and staff are discouraged from engaging in campaigning on behalf of students or making statements in support of selected candidates in the classroom or through campus activities/programs.
A candidate’s total expenditures shall include all goods and services purchased by or donated (including monetary or in-kind contributions) to a candidate or campaign for use in the election or used in any that furthers that candidate’s campaign. Candidates must provide all receipts and estimates, in addition to all contact information for all services provided. A candidate is allowed to accept a discount for materials and/or services. If the discount is not available to the general public, it must be recorded at its undiscounted value.
An in-kind contribution shall be regarded as anything contributed to a candidate other than money, excluding campaign volunteers. In-kind contributions for the use of campaign fundraising or printing of campaign paraphernalia must be reported and will count toward the maximum expenditure a candidate may spend. Receipts for these contributions must be submitted with expenditure reports.
The fair market value of a donated item or in-kind contribution shall be the value recorded on the final expenditure report. Fair market value is determined by the candidate securing two price estimates of the exact item to be used on the campaign, the average of which is to be included on the expenditure report. Both estimates must contain the name, address and phone number of the entities furnishing the estimate.
Barring a reasonable doubt, the Elections Review & Dispute Panel will recognize the retail value paid for a good or service at its fair market value. The Elections & Dispute Panel reserves the right to reassign value to a good or service in response to a complaint that the good or service is not reported at its fair market value. In this instance, two values that are different from the previous would be used and the average provided.
A Financial Reporting Form will be provided for candidates to submit documentation.
Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in an ethically appropriate manner in accordance with Capstone Creed and the Code of Student Conduct. A violation of the guidelines governing Homecoming Queen selections and election may also be a violation of the Code of Student Conduct or other University policy.
Below you will find links to submissions related to the Elections Process. You can also use the links below to submit financial documentation or to report an inquiry or violation.
Documents & Financial Submissions Elections Complaints/Violations Form
