Voting
VicSRC uses the Borda count system and has done so for many years. This is a form of preferential voting (learn about preferential voting here). The Borda count system is used because it helps elect the candidates that the most people have voted for, particularly when there are a relatively small number of voters (each year approximately 250 students vote in this election). It also means that all of the voter’s preferences are counted.
Every Victorian school-aged student who was a member of the VicSRC Student Community by 11:59pm on Sunday 1 October 2023 is eligible to vote in this Executive Committee election. You will receive an email with instructions of how to vote from OpaVote, the online voting platform we use.
If you can’t find instructions for how to vote please check your junk and spam inboxes before contacting [email protected] .
You must vote for at least your top ten preferences, with number one being your first preference. If you number ten preferences, your first preference will be given ten points, your second preference will be given nine points, and so on. Any candidates you leave blank will be given zero points.
Using the Borda voting system, all your preferences count towards the final total. Each candidate gets a total number of points and the returning officers use this, as well as the quotas outlined below, to determine the final result. The returning officers are two members of the Executive Committee who oversee and run the election. They are elected by the Executive Committee every year.
VicSRC uses quotas to help the Executive Committee be more representative of the diverse student population in Victoria.
There are 15 students on the Executive Committee. The quotas in VicSRC’s constitution are:
at least five (5) students who are schooled outside Greater Metropolitan Melbourne (regional students);
at least five (5) students who are schooled within Greater Metropolitan Melbourne (metropolitan students);
at least four (4) students who identify as male;
at least four (4) students who identify as female;
at least four (4) students who identify as not cisgender;
at least two (2) students who attend a Catholic school;
at least two (2) students who attend an independent school;
at least two (2) students who attend a Government school;
at most three (3) students who are enrolled in year 11 at school; and
at most two (2) students who attend the same school, including across campuses at a school with multiple campuses.
The returning officers apply these quotas after the votes are counted. The quotas are applied in the order that allows the most quotas to be filled. If the quotas can’t be met - for example, if only one student who attends an independent school nominates for the Executive Committee - then the returning officers can endorse (approve) a result where that quota isn’t met.
Meet the Candidates
Voting for our 2025 candidates have now closed. 2025's Executive Advisory Committee will be announced shortly.
For now, meet your candidates for the Executive Committee 2025!
Each candidate was asked to answer these questions:
1. Why would you be an amazing representative for students?
2. What issue would you want to work on from the priorities from Congress 2023?
3. What do you think is the most important issue in the education system right now?
Note: the indicated year levels of candidates are their year levels for 2025