Statement of the Election Commission
March, 11th 2025
Introduction
This spring semester, over 300 law students signed a petition calling for the referendum now under consideration. The petition was delivered to Harvard Law School’s Student Government in late February, triggering a student body-wide referendum pursuant to Article V, Section 3 of the Student Government Constitution. The referendum was referred to the Election Commission, the body responsible for administering Student Government elections under Chapters 5.2 and 5.3 of the Student Government Bylaws. The Election Commission is a committee of students appointed by the Student Council and the Co-Presidents for the purpose of independently, fairly, and transparently organizing elections.
On Election Process
Shortly after its formation, the Election Commission reached out to the HLS Administration to request collaboration on this referendum vote (a “special election”) as well as the annual Student Government elections that occur in the spring semester. On March 4th, the HLS Dean of Students responded by denying the Election Commission’s request to collaborate on administering the referendum but offering to assist in administering candidate elections. The Election Commission asked for more time to consider the Administration’s offer to host the candidate elections separately. We have not refused the Administration’s offer to host candidate elections, but such a split in election administration is difficult to justify and requires more attention. In the meantime, the Election Commission has moved forward with the referendum election independently as is our responsibility under our bylaws. In January, the Student Council proactively affirmed the power of Student Government to administer its elections independently in Resolution No. R-208-005, in response to the administration’s obstruction of a referendum on the Fall Semester library bans.
In the same March 4th email, the Dean of Students provided some recommendations and reminders to the Election Commission, including the necessity of informing voters if their vote could not be made anonymous. We have incorporated their recommendations into our process. The Election Commission will necessarily have access to the raw voting data in order to tabulate the vote. However, as has always been the case, including when the HLS Administration has hosted elections, students can be confident that their vote will not be disclosed to any party beyond the one administering the vote. Raw voting data will remain secure and separated from any other part of Student Government, current or future, as well as separate from the HLS Administration. The Election Commission will take every precaution to ensure the anonymity of participants is protected.
We encourage maximum student body participation in both the special election and the candidate elections. Taking part in electoral processes is the cornerstone of democratic ideals, a profound act of civic participation, and, most importantly, a way for the HLS community to identify and express its values.