About Referenda
A referendum is an all-student vote on either a particular issue-based question or a vote of no-confidence in a Trustee or elected representative.
Please note: Some of the referenda questions deal with issues that people might find distressing such as spiking. We recognise the sensitive nature of issues such as this and do our best to make sure our democratic events are safe spaces for everyone, we do also encourage those that wish to attend events to consider their welfare and prepare accordingly. If you feel like you would like to access support or need to talk to someone about what you may have experienced you can email the anti-harassment support advisor at LSE, Laura at l.d.boland@lse.ac.uk. You can also access resources and support from LSE here
Cast your vote
Voting in the upcoming referenda will open 9am Tuesday 6th June.
6 June Town Hall Referenda
Should the LSESU lobby the LSE to have student representation on the External Funding Ethical Review Board (EFERB)?
Proponent: Maarya Rabbani
Should the LSESU work to make availability of free drinks covers and stoppers mandatory at all on and off campus events run by the LSESU and LSE?
Should the LSESU lobby LSE to allow students to chair societal events with a guest speaker?
Should the LSESU lobby the Faith Centre to open a new prayer room for Muslim women?
Proponent: Salsabel Abuazza
Should the LSESU restore codified provisions for the funding of Student Media Groups, such as The Beaver?
Proponent: Aarti Malhotra
Please note: in voting for a particular referendum outcome, you are voting for all elements of it, including the stated solutions contained within it.
Upcoming Referenda
Should the LSESU lobby the LSE to have student representation on the External Funding Ethical Review Board (EFERB)? View the full proposal here
Should the LSESU work to make availability of free drinks covers and stoppers mandatory at all on and off campus events run by the LSESU and LSE? View the full proposal here
Should the LSESU lobby LSE to allow students to chair societal events with a guest speaker? View the full proposal here
Should the LSESU lobby the Faith Centre to open a new prayer room for Muslim women? View the full proposal here
Should the LSESU restore codified provisions for the funding of Student Media Groups such as The Beaver? View the full proposal here
If you have strong feelings about any of the issues above, you are invited to form a "YES" or "NO" campaign by emailing su.democracy@lse.ac.uk. All campaign groups must be registered with the Democracy Committee (su.democracy@lse.ac.uk) no less than 3 days before the beginning of the campaigning and voting period, so in this case Sat 3 June at 9am.
If you would like more information about what forming a campaign may involve, please message us at su.represention@lse.ac.uk and we can discuss the process in more detail.
FAQs
How can a referendum be called?
A standard referendum can be called by:
- A Secure Petition signed by 100 student members
- A simple majority vote of the Student Members Meeting
- A simple majority vote of the Trustee Board
- A vote of the Student Panel
A vote of no-confidence in Trustee or elected representative can be called by:
- A Secure Petition signed by 100 student members
- A simple majority vote of the Trustee Board
- A 2/3rds majority vote of Accountability Board members
How do students vote in a referendum?
After a referendum is called, the referendum question will be discussed either at the next Town Hall, or at an Additional Student Members' Meeting. Information of this meeting and the referenda to be discussed will be posted at least 7 days prior.
Campaigning activity and voting for the referendum will open at 9am on the day of this meeting, and will remain open until 12pm, midday, two days later. (More detail around these timelines can be found below and in the Referendum Rules.)
Students can cast their votes on the voting portal on this page.
What is quorum?
Quorum is the minimum number of voters needed for a referendum result to be valid.
Quorum for a standard referendum will be set by Democracy Committee, but will not be more than 5% of student members. For the academic year 22/23, Democracy Committee have set quorum for standard referenda as 200 students.
The quorum for a vote of no-confidence is 4% of all members.
referenda rules
If you are campaigning for a "yes" or "no" campaign for any referendum, you must follow the Referendum Rules or you and your campaign could face sanctions from the Returning Officer.
Upcoming Referenda Dates
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Saturday 3rd June 9am: Deadline to register a campaign group with Democracy Committee
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Tuesday 6th June 9am: Voting/Campaigning Starts
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Tuesday 6th June 5pm: Student Town Hall
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Thursday 8th June 12pm (midday): Voting Closes
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Friday 9th June: Results Announced
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