A Stupid Tradition

At this point some explanation of the voting system is needed. Each campus has a certain number of voles, depending on the number of students at each. These votes total 42, and to be elected, the candidate must obtain an absolute majority (ie 22 votes). In an election there are up to four ballots, and in each one a campus may split its votes or change its votes in any way.

In NZUSA tradition, it is not considered good for a candidate to be elected on the first ballot — it is seen to indicate a too wholehearted support. In Simon's case this particularly useless tradition was adhered to, and the first ballot was dutifully lost: 22 votes against and 20 for.

A second ballot was immediately called for, and at 10-05pm, Simon Wilson was declared elected President of NZUSA by a majority of 37 to 5. Such a sizable majority indicates that Simon has started with considerable support — but he will have to improve his diplomatic capabilities to work with National Executive members (ie the Presidents of the Constituent Associations) such as Tony Stuart.