Elections

If you would like to get involved with GPSA, consider becoming a GPSA Senator, College Representative, or running for Executive Office. If you need accommodations to fully participate in GPSA meetings and activities, please reach out to Dr. Tammy Barry and Matt Shaw. If elected, Dr. Barry, Matt, and the Access Center will work with you to learn more about what you need to fully participate.

These positions are an excellent opportunity to make a difference on campus. GPSA members (Pullman fee-paying graduate and professional students, including Research and Extension Center students) are eligible to run for GPSA positions. 

Learn More about GPSA's Branches of Government

View GPSA's vacant positions available during the current term.

2025 Election

Voting will open on March 3 at 8:00 p.m. and close on March 7 at 11:59 p.m.  

For more information on the President/Vice President Candidate, Vice President of Legislative Affairs, and Representatives please click this link to read their bios

The President, Vice President, and College Representatives' debate will be on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. The event will be live-streamed on Zoom at GPSA Debate.

To learn more about the candidates running for a GPSA position, please see Senator Statements and Executive Board Statements. The statements will be available here sometime after applications close on February 17th, but prior to when voting begins on March 3th.

After March 17, 2025, the IAC will provide and present a full report of the General Elections to the Senate.

  • 2025 Elections Timeline

    February 3, 2025 - Applications for General Elections Open at 8:00 PM

    Log on to Presence and complete the General Election forms (links can be found above for each position).

    February 17, 2025 - Applications Close at 11:59 PM

    Do not wait until the last minute. If you miss the deadline, the Internal Affairs Committee (IAC) will not review your application. Check the forms and application early, so you have time to ask questions, if needed.

    March 3, 2025 - Debate at 5:30 PM & Voting Opens at 8:00 PM

    Executive Board Candidate Debate is at the March 3rd Senate Meeting (5:30-7:30 PM). Cast your vote at Vote in the 2025 General Election.

    March 7, 2025 - Voting Closes at 11:59 PM

    Cast your vote at Vote in the 2025 General Election.

    March 17, 2025 - Candidates Announced

    All applicants and GPSA members will be notified of final decisions by this day. The preliminary results will be made available.

    March 17, 2025 - Final General Election Results

    IAC will provide and present a full report of the General Elections to the Senate. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is required to accept the election report of the IAC. Acceptance of this report certifies the final election results.

    May 16, 2025 - Executive Board Term Begins

    New Executive Board members assume their duties and responsibilities.

    August 2025 - New Senator Orientation

    Senators assume their duties and responsibilities. Senators will meet with the full GPSA senate body for training and orientation at 5:30 PM (Date and Location TBD). Attendance is mandatory for the Executive Board and Senators.

    August 2025 - First Senate Meeting

    The full senate schedule can be found at GPSA Senate Meetings.

Running for Office

Applications for the 2025-2026 terms opened on February 3, 2025. The application deadline is February 17, 2025.  To run for GPSA President, VIP, VPLA, or a College Representative, candidates must complete the corresponding digital form below and the additional GPSA General Election Form

With regards to President, VP, and VPLA application, please consider the following two things:

  1. The candidate who wants to apply for one of these positions needs to have at least one year of prior experience working in GPSA.
  2. The President and Vice-President candidates should run together. Thus, the candidate who is interested in running for the President or Vice President position must select their running mate prior to submitting the application.

President

Current Term: May 16, 2024 – May 15, 2025
Stipend: Half (1/2) time staff assistant at step 50 with a tuition waiver and benefits package reflective of a Graduate Assistantship.

  1. The President and Vice-President candidates should run together. Thus, the candidate who is interested in running for the President or Vice President position must select their running mate prior to submitting the application.
  • President Summary of Duties
    • Chair of the Executive Board: call meetings & prepare agendas
    • Appoint College Representatives to Chair positions
    • Write and present a report to Board of Regents
    • Serve on Faculty Senate & other pertinent university committees
    • Appoint graduate-professional students to all university committees & task forces
    • Plan annual Executive Board Retreat
    • Manage and oversee all GPSA programs and services in conjunction with Program Support Staff & Executive Board
    • Advocate on behalf of all graduate-professional students
    • Attend GPSA Senate meetings held twice a month on Mondays, 5:30–7:30 pm
    • Time commitment: 20 hours per week

Apply for GPSA President

In addition to the above form on Coug Presence, please complete the GPSA General Election form.

Vice President

Current Term: May 16, 2024 – May 15, 2025
Stipend: Half (1/2) time staff assistant at step 50 with tuition waiver and benefits package reflective of a Graduate Assistantship

  1. The President and Vice-President candidates should run together. Thus, the candidate who is interested in running for the President or Vice President position must select their running mate prior to submitting the application.
  • Vide President Summary of Duties
    • Chair of the Senate: call meetings, prepare agendas & distribute minutes
    • Chair of the Budget Committee
    • Prepare yearly budget request for S&A Fee Committee
    • Allocate affiliate funding & administer evening child care program
    • Serve on at least one university committee
    • Manage and oversee all GPSA programs and services in conjunction with Program Support Staff & Executive Board
    • Advocate on behalf of all graduate-professional students
    • Attend GPSA Senate meetings held twice a month on Mondays, 5:30–7:30 pm
    • Attend GPSA Executive Board meetings held weekly
    • Time commitment: 20 hours per week

Apply for GPSA Vice President

In addition to the above form on Coug Presence, please complete the GPSA General Election form.

VP of Legislative Affairs

Current Term: May 16, 2024 – May 15, 2025
Stipend: Half (1/2) time staff assistant at step 50 with tuition waiver and benefits package reflective of a Graduate Assistantship.

  • VPLA Summary of Duties
    • Chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee: call meetings & prepare agendas
    • Advocate on behalf of all graduate-professional students at WSU
    • Represent GPSA to the National Association of Graduate Professional Students, the Washington Student Association, and any other pertinent state/national legislative bodies
    • Need to travel to Olympia and University campuses across Washington to attend meetings by the WSU Student Government Council (SGC) and Washington Student Association (WSA).
    • Developing a comprehensive legislative agenda
    • Coordinate involvement & prepare materials for national and state graduate-professional student advocacy events & capitol visits
    • Update Executive Board and Senate on national graduate and professional student issues
    • Attend GPSA Senate meetings held twice a month on Mondays, 5:30–7:30 pm
    • Attend GPSA Executive Board meetings held weekly
    • Time commitment: 20 hours per week

Apply for VP of Legislative Affairs

In addition to the above form on Coug Presence, please complete the GPSA General Election form.

College Representative

Current Term: August 2024 – May 2025
College Rep stipend: 1959.17 per semester; 3918.34 in total

  • College Representative Summary of Duties
    • Chair one GPSA committee (appointed Chair by GPSA President & Vice President)
    • Serve on one university committee
    • Attend weekly GPSA Executive Board meetings
    • Attend GPSA Senate meetings held twice a month on Mondays, 5:30–7:30 pm
    • Expected time commitment: 8–10 hours per week

Apply for College Representative

In addition to the form on Coug Presence, please complete the GPSA General Election form.

Senator

Current Term: August 2024 – May 2025
Senator stipend: 400 per semester; 800 in total

  • Senator Summary of Duties
    • Attend GPSA Senate meetings held twice a month on Mondays, 5:30–7:30 pm
    • Communicate all relevant information between their department & GPSA
    • Serve on one GPSA committee
    • Expected time commitment: 2-4 hours per week