Ballots, Not Bystanders: Why Democracy at Roehampton Starts With You

Democracy isn’t just something that happens in Parliament; it happens right here on campus. Every year, students at Roehampton shape their university experience through elections. This is your opportunity to decide who represents you, what issues matter most, and how your Students’ Union (SU) focuses its energy in the year ahead.

Student Leadership Elections 2026 are your chance to vote for the students who will lead as Sabbatical Officers, Part-Time Officers (PTOs) and Student Group Committee Members, and to choose the priorities that will guide the SU’s work. Voting opens soon and it only takes a few minutes to have a year-long impact whether this is good or bad it's up to you..

Here are five reasons why your vote matters.

1. Don’t leave the decisions to someone else

If you don’t vote, someone else decides for you. Elections determine who represents you, what campaigns are prioritised, and which issues rise to the top of the agenda. Choosing not to take part means having absolutely no say in any important issues. Your vote is your say on the kind of SU you want active and campaigning, focused on wellbeing and academic change, or championing stronger community and inclusion. Whatever matters most to you, this is your opportunity to back it. Democracy isn’t automatic. It’s built by the people who show up.

2. You choose the SU’s direction

This year, you’ll vote on six key priority areas for the SU to focus on, selected from twelve options. That means you’re directly influencing what campaigns, projects and changes are pushed forward next year. Issues linked to democracy and representation like amplifying student voice, improving academic representation, and building inclusive communities rely on students choosing them. If the student voice matters to you, voting is how you make it count!

3. You decide who leads your SU

Sabbatical Officers work full-time to represent students at the highest level of university decision-making. They meet with senior leadership, campaign for change, and ensure your concerns are heard. By voting, you’re choosing who will sit at those tables on your behalf. You’re selecting the leaders who will challenge, collaborate, and advocate for Roehampton students in 2026/27.

4. You shape your College community

Part-Time Officers (PTOs) represent specific communities, liberation groups and colleges. They focus on the issues that affect students directly whether that’s wellbeing, academic support, or inclusion within your college. Voting means choosing someone who understands your experience and will work to improve it.

5. Small action, real impact

It takes less than five minutes to vote but the results shape the entire academic year. From campaigns to events, from academic policy changes to wellbeing initiatives, the SU’s direction starts with this democratic moment.

When you vote, you’re not just ticking a box. You’re strengthening student democracy at Roehampton.

Elections are about more than positions; they're about power, priorities, and participation. So when voting opens, don’t sit it out and do nothing, vote and get your opinions heard.

Voting open Friday 13 March at 11:00