Referenda

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Union Referenda are online votes that any Warwick student can vote in. Often the most controversial, important and interesting motions are put to referenda, so that every Warwick student can vote on them. Also, changes to the constitution are required to go to referenda.

Referenda are the highest decision-making process in the Union, and so decisions made at referenda cannot be overturned by Union Council or General Meetings. Recent examples of referenda include campaigning for a Freshers' Week and making the Union supply only Fairtrade hot chocolate, tea and coffee.

There are two sets of referenda each year and voting takes place in week 9 of term one and term two. For a vote to be valid either 5% of Union members must vote for or against the motion, or 7.5% of Union members must either vote for, vote against or abstain. We often have lots of publicity, excitement and controversy surrounding referenda motions, and usually 2,500 to 3,000 students vote in them!

If you are considering proposing a motion to be put to referendum then you should go to the Democratic Services Office (DSO) which is upstairs in Union North and on your left. You will need 80 Union members to sign a petition for your motion and then hand this in before Friday Week 4 (27th October). It is also advised that you speak to one of the Sabbatical Officers, as they will have the knowledge and experience to help you write your motion. If your motion involves money then you should speak to the Finance, Democracy and Strategy Officer (Tom Callow) who will give you the financial guidelines and help you consider the implications of your motion. Please note that financially unviable motions will not be put to a vote.