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 Student Accommodations and Disability Resources 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.
2026 Election
Voting will open on March 9 at 8:00 p.m. and close on March 13 at 11:59 p.m.
The President, Vice President, and College Representatives' debate will be on Monday, March 9, 2026 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 16th, but prior to when voting begins on March 9th.
After March 23, 2026, the IAC will provide and present a full report of the General Elections to the Senate.
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GPSA General Election Timeline – 2026
February 2, 2026 – Applications for General Elections Open
8:00 PM
Applications for the GPSA General Election open on the first Monday of February. Candidates must complete and submit the appropriate General Election application forms online. Links to application forms for each position will be provided on the GPSA website.
February 16, 2026 – Applications Close
11:59 PM
Applications close on the third Monday of February. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the Internal Affairs Committee (IAC). Applicants are strongly encouraged to review application requirements early and reach out with questions before the deadline.
March 9, 2026 – Executive Board Candidate Debate & Voting Opens
5:30–7:30 PM – Executive Board Candidate Debate The Executive Board Candidate Debate will take place during the March 9 GPSA Senate Meeting.
8:00 PM – Voting Opens Electronic ballots become available to voters at 8:00 PM. Cast your vote at Vote in the 2026 General Election.
March 13, 2026 – Voting Closes
11:59 PM
Voting closes on Friday preceding Spring Break. Cast your vote at Vote in the 2026 General Election.
March 23, 2026 – Preliminary Election Results Announced
All applicants and GPSA members will be notified of final decisions by this day. The preliminary results will be made available.
March 23, 2026 – Final General Election Results
The Internal Affairs Committee will present a full report of the General Election process and results to the GPSA Senate. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Senate is required to approve the election report. Upon approval, results are certified as final and posted on the GPSA website.
May 16, 2026 – Executive Board Term Begins
Newly elected Executive Board members assume their duties and responsibilities.
August 2026 – New Senator Orientation
Newly elected Senators will participate in a mandatory orientation session with the full GPSA Senate. Date, time, and location to be announced. Attendance is required.
August 2026 – First GPSA Senate Meeting
The first Senate meeting of the academic year will be held. The full Senate meeting schedule will be available on the GPSA website.
Running for Office
Applications for the 2026-2027 terms opened on February 2, 2026. The application deadline is February 16, 2026. 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:
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A. The candidate who wants to apply for one of these positions needs to have at least one year of prior experience working in GPSA.
B. 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, 2025 – May 15, 2026
Stipend: President/Vice-president/VPLA salary follows the current negotiated WSU/UAW Contract 2024 – 2026 for Graduate Staff Assistant (GA).
- 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.
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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
In addition to the above form on WSU Involve, please complete the GPSA General Election form.
Vice President
Current Term: May 16, 2025 – May 15, 2026
Stipend: President/Vice-president/VPLA salary follows the current negotiated WSU/UAW Contract 2024 – 2026 for Graduate Staff Assistant (GA).
- 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.
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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
In addition to the above form on WSU Involve, please complete the GPSA General Election form.
VP of Legislative Affairs
Current Term: May 16, 2025 – May 15, 2026
Stipend: President/Vice-president/VPLA salary follows the current negotiated WSU/UAW Contract 2024 – 2026 for Graduate Staff Assistant (GA).
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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 WSU Involve, please complete the GPSA General Election form.
College Representative
Current Term: August 2025 – May 2026
College Rep stipend: 1959.17 per semester; 3918.34 in total
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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 WSU Involve, please complete the GPSA General Election form.
Senator
Current Term: August 2025 – May 2026
Senator stipend: 400 per semester; 800 in total
Before you apply, please consult the list of the academic departments and available Senator seats for the 2025-2026 academic year.
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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