Managing Board Elections

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful

 

Types of Elections

Every MSA will have a different election process, based on their organization’s constitution or bylaws. Elections can be fully voting-based, selection-based, or a mix of both. In addition, MSAs should establish 1) clear election guidelines, 2) form an independent elections committee, and 3) ensure that elections are conducted ethically.

  • A voting-based process is designed to ensure that leadership positions are filled through a fair and democratic vote by the general membership. Eligible members may nominate themselves or be nominated by peers, provided they meet established qualifications, such as active participation and good standing within the MSA. 

    Candidates may campaign by sharing their goals, experience, and vision for the organization through speeches, events, or written statements. Following this, members of the MSA cast their votes — often by confidential ballot or virtually — and the candidates who receive a majority or the most votes are elected to their respective positions. This process emphasizes transparency, inclusivity, and member engagement, allowing the broader MSA community to have a direct voice in selecting its leaders.

  • A selection-based election process is designed to choose leaders through a thoughtful and representative approach rather than a popular vote. Active members of the MSA nominate candidates who demonstrate strong character, commitment to Islamic values, and involvement in the organization’s activities. 

    A selection committee — often made up of current board members, advisors, or respected senior members — reviews each nominee based on criteria such as leadership ability, reliability, teamwork, and vision for the MSA. The committee may conduct interviews before either selecting the final candidates or presenting a shortlist to the general body for approval. This process helps ensure that those chosen to lead are not only popular but also qualified, trustworthy, and capable of serving the needs of the Muslim student community.

 

Elections Committee

An Elections Committee should be established to oversee the process of elections, from start to finish. The committee should ideally have 2-5 members, composed of outgoing board members, trusted board members, and the advisor. Members should not be running for any position. The role of the Committee is to manage nominations and candidate verification, enforce campaign rules, administer the voting process and/or interviews, count and verify votes, and address concerns.   

Conduct the elections before the end of the semester. Keep a timeline of 1 month for the entire elections process to run, including nominations, campaigning, and voting.

  • Sample Timeline:

    • April 1: Open nominations

    • April 15: Close nominations

    • April 16-20: Verify candidates meet criteria and collect candidates’ statements

    • April 20-27: Voting open on Google Form

 

Campaigning Guidelines

The focus of campaigning should be to increase the members’ awareness of the candidates while maintaining integrity and adab.

  • Encourage:

    • Positive messaging (“what I plan to do”)

    • Collaboration and unity

    • Sharing goals, ideas, and qualifications

    • Engaging respectfully with members

    • Participating in forums or Q&A sessions

  • Prohibit:

    • Personal attacks or negative campaigning

    • Spreading rumors or misinformation

    • Excessive or disruptive promotion

  • Optional: Host a candidate forum or Q&A session for members to ask questions! This is highly recommended to ensure voters are making the best-informed decision.

 

Voting Process

MSAs should aim to make their voting process secure and accessible to members. Some MSAs utilize a membership-based approach, where only paid or registered members are allowed to vote in elections. This is up to the discretion of the MSA board; however, ensure that this policy is written in the constitution or bylaws.

  • Provide clear instructions and deadlines.

  • Choose either an online platform (such as Google Forms, campus voting tools, etc.) or an in-person ballot during an MSA event.

  • Ensure that one vote is cast per eligible member.

  • Keep votes anonymous— only the Elections Committee should know who members voted for.

  • Double-check all results before announcing. Ideally, at least 2 committee members should count the votes.

  • Announce the results professionally.

    • Results should be announced via official MSA communication channels, including e-mail, official group chat, and social media.

    • All candidates will be acknowledged and thanked.

    • Community members will be encouraged to support new leadership

  • Be sure to update your MSA chapter information with your campus.

 

Need help reviewing or facilitating your MSA’s elections process? Reach out to info@msanational.org to schedule a free consultation.