2026 Election Schedule
follow our social media @kentstateusg for updates throughout the election season.
Contact The election COMMISSIONER drobin75@kent.edu with any questions!
*Running for and applying for a position for USG implies you have read through and will plan to attend and adhere to the following calendar and expectations.
*Dates with asterisks signal that the event is mandatory for all candidates. Email drobin75@kent.edu with concerns regarding absences to mandatory events. Events with the same title require one of the times to be attended, but not both.
February
February 8 - Candidate Applications Open
*February 9- Candidate Orientation
*February 10- Candidate Orientation
February 11 - USG Public Meeting | Student Center Governance Chambers | 5:30 PM
February 19 - Candidate Filing Opens
February 25 - USG Public Meeting | Student Center Governance Chambers | 5:30 PM
*February 25 - Petition signatures and online applications due by 9 AM.
February 24 - Election Commission will formally announce the 2025 candidates by 12:00 PM virtually.
*February 27 - Candidate Meet and Greet
March
March 1 - Candidates can start campaigning at 12:00 PM.
*March 3 - President/Director Debates
March 5 - USG Public Meeting | Student Center Governance Chambers | 5:30 PM
*March 6 - Senator Debates
March 16 - Election Day: Voting opens at 8am
March 18 - Election Day: Voting ends at 5pm
*March 18 - Campaign Finance Report due at 5 PM
*March 18 - Election Results Watch Party | time & location TBD
March 19 - Election result appeals based on procedural errors due by 12:00 PM
March 19 - USG Public Meeting | Student Center Governance Chambers | 5:30 PM
Week of March 23- Appointed Position Application Opens (Google Form)
April
*April 8 - USG Public Meeting: Passing of the Gavel
April 3 - Appointed Position Application Closes
April 6 - April 10 - Interviews for Appointed Positions
*April 15 - Group Transition Meeting | Student Center 3rd Floor | 5:30 PM
*April 22 - Group Transition Meeting | Student Center 3rd Floor | 5:30 PM
*April 29 - USG Public Meeting | Student Center Governance Chambers | 5:30 PM
*Amendments
The Election Commission may add additional events or alter currently listed events; however, candidates will not be penalized for scheduling conflicts should the events be altered or added subsequently to the distribution of this schedule. The Election Commission will contact all candidates in a timely fashion regarding amendments to this schedule.
*Candidates should plan on attending at least one USG Public Meeting during the election season. Public Meeting Dates can be found on our Event Calendar.
*Public Meetings and Student Organization Meetings will take place during the Fall and Spring Semester on Wednesdays at 5:30pm unless otherwise specified by the USG. Please hold this evening open on your Fall and Spring Schedules.