High School Leadership Elections: A Guide to the Election Process

Area A: Concord High School

Leah Darby, Area Contributor

January 23, 2025

By Leah Darby, Concord High School

As election season approaches, organizing a successful high school leadership election can feel overwhelming. However, with proper planning, it can become an engaging and rewarding process for everyone involved, including advisors. After years of overseeing election cycles, I have developed a streamlined approach to guide my students through the process. At Concord High School, ASB officers and select seniors play an integral role in every stage, from publicizing applications to conducting interviews, hosting candidate forums, and facilitating class selections.

1. Applications

The first step is to secure approval for election dates from the advisor and school administration. Once dates are set, leadership applications are made available to the student body through physical copies or online forms, such as Google Forms. Effective publicity is essential to ensure all students are aware of the available positions and have equal access to participate. The application deadline is strictly enforced, and students must meet the GPA requirement (a minimum of 2.5 for the first semester) to be eligible.

2. Interviews

Following the application deadline, eligible students are invited for interviews. Interviews are conducted over the course of a school day by a panel of ASB officers and select seniors. Students are interviewed individually based on their grade level or the officer positions they are seeking. Standardized questions are used for all candidates, with additional scenario-based questions for those applying for officer roles. Applicants receive a copy of the questions in advance to prepare. Teachers are informed ahead of time about students being excused from class, and an organized interview schedule is provided.

3. Campaigning

Candidates are briefed on campaign guidelines during an advisory meeting to ensure campaigns are conducted appropriately and fairly. Permitted campaign activities include making posters, sharing social media posts, and distributing fliers. However, distributing trinkets or food is prohibited to maintain equality among candidates. ASB officers monitor the campaign process, addressing any violations promptly.

4. Speeches & Voting

The dates for speeches and voting are coordinated with school administration and the leadership advisor. Advisory class meetings are held to accommodate these activities. The format of speeches and voting depends on the positions being contested. For ASB officer positions, where the entire school votes, meetings are held for each grade level. For class-specific positions, only one meeting may be required.

Candidates may submit a 200-word statement to be included on the ballot. During class meetings, candidates participate in a timed interview session where they answer a set of questions. They also have the option to deliver a 1-2 minute speech following the interview. Voting occurs immediately after speeches using either physical or digital ballots. We often utilize QR codes for digital voting, with ASB officers overseeing the process to ensure its integrity.

5. Results & Announcements

Once voting concludes, ASB officers tally the results and announce them as soon as possible. Candidates are notified promptly, ideally in person. Acceptance and denial letters are distributed on the same day to minimize confusion. The names of the elected students are then announced. In cases where a candidate is not elected but demonstrates potential, they may be offered a representative role.

By following these steps, our election process runs smoothly, providing all students with a fair opportunity to participate and have their voices heard.

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Why are Elections Important for the Culture of a School?

Running clear, organized, and fair elections for student leaders in high schools and junior high schools is crucial to fostering a positive and inclusive school culture. Here’s why:

1. Promotes Leadership and Responsibility

Elections provide students with an opportunity to engage in meaningful leadership roles. By clearly defining the process and ensuring fairness, schools set a precedent for how responsibilities are earned and carried out, emphasizing accountability and transparency.

2. Fosters Student Engagement

A well-run election encourages students to participate in the decision-making process, giving them a voice in shaping their school environment. This inclusivity strengthens the connection students feel toward their school, leading to higher engagement in other activities.

3. Sets an Example of Democracy in Action

Clear and fair elections teach students the importance of democratic values, such as equal opportunity, transparency, and fairness. These lessons can shape their understanding of civic responsibility and prepare them for participation in broader societal systems.

4. Builds Trust and Integrity

When students perceive the election process as fair and organized, it builds trust in the system and in their peers who are elected. This trust extends to the student government, fostering collaboration and mutual respect between leaders and the student body.

5. Creates a Sense of Belonging

Inclusive elections that encourage diverse participation help ensure that all student voices are represented. This diversity fosters a sense of belonging among students and ensures leadership reflects the varied perspectives within the school.

6. Supports a Positive School Culture

Student leaders play a pivotal role in shaping school culture. A transparent and fair election process helps ensure that the most committed, capable, and passionate individuals are selected, positively influencing school spirit, activities, and the overall environment.

7. Teaches Valuable Life Skills

For candidates, the election process teaches public speaking, campaigning, and interpersonal communication. For voters, it instills critical thinking and the ability to evaluate leaders. These are skills students carry with them beyond school.

In short, organized and fair elections aren’t just about choosing student leaders—they’re about reinforcing values and practices that build a thriving, equitable, and inclusive school community.

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