2026 Presidential Election
The 2026 MSU Presidential Election is in full swing! Learn more about the Election, your candidates, election procedures, and more.
The elected candidate will hold office from May 1st, 2026, to April 30th, 2027. The President may carry a course load of not more than three (3) units per academic term. This course load restriction may be waived by a two-thirds majority vote of the SRA.
The President is to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Spokesperson for the McMaster Students Union and be a voting member of the SRA, the Executive Board, and an ex-officio member of all other MSU committees. As well, the President will chair the Executive Board, Board of Directors and the Presidents’ Council. Furthermore, the President will represent the MSU to the University Administration, Hamilton community as well as local, provincial, and national governments and organizations.
Important Dates:
- Proclamation: November 24, 2025
- Nomination Period: November 24, 2025 – January 15, 2026
- All Candidates Meeting:January 15, 2026, at 5:30PM
- Campaigning Period: January 18 – 29, 2026
- Polling Dates: January 27 – 29, 2026 (voting will close at 11:59PM)
Information Box Group
Terry Christodoulou Learn More
My focus on bridging the divide between students and our governance means fewer vibes, more data, and a truly representative union that works for us all. Together we can implement incentivized annual student polling so the MSU can finally be informed, bigger and better campus events to bring us together, and more efficient spending to maintain the value of your investment. The goal is a union that listens so it can deliver.
Christ11@mcmaster.ca
Emily Dhanjal Learn More
Vote Emily! I am committed to addressing and advocating for attention to prominent student-facing issues such as food insecurity, financial uncertainty, academic stress, and resource access. With a thorough understanding of student realities, my primary goal is to make campus engagement and participation not just better, but possible, for all students. By providing a baseline of stability, security, and administrative support, I aim to empower the McMaster community to achieve everything they’re capable of!
emilydhanjal2026@gmail.com
Juliana Jack (JJ) Learn More
The best part of McMaster is the people. Our voices have been loud, but our messages are not fairly heard. I will be a megaphone for students. My experience at McMaster includes founding an advocacy group and working as a peer mentor. There is a disconnect between students and the institution, I want to be the bridge. Help me reshape McMaster into something greater.
jjforprez2026@outlook.com
Abdullah Masudi Learn More
Peter Drucker once said, “Rank does not confer privilege or power; it imposes responsibility.” For me, the MSU Presidency is not a title, but a duty. My experience working with administrators and students has shown me how decisions at McMaster are actually made, and how too often the student voice is sidelined. I’m running to use that knowledge to deliver transparency, affordability, and fair treatment for every MSU member. Vote Masudi!
masudia@mcmaster.ca
Olami Olalere Learn More
Hello everyone. As your President my responsibility stands on meeting students where they are at. I intend to create events that raise awareness to the student union hence growing students knowledge in its service.
olalere365@gmail.com
Erin Rebello Learn More
Over the past 5 years as a Senate representative, MacSci EDI officer, Community Advisor, and Earth/Enviro student at Mac, I’ve grown to love our student community… but feel that the MSU could be doing SO MUCH more for our students!
My platform focuses on small-scale improvements in student life (installing bidets in washrooms, free breakfast program, improved website accessibility) AND large-scale, MSU solidarity with issues our students care about, such as LGBTQ+ and Palestinian rights!
erin4msuprez@gmail.com
Mariam Saleem Learn More
Hi! I’m Mariam Saleem, and I’m running to be your next MSU President to strengthen access, student life, and student voice. This means making supports upfront and easy to access, ensuring transparent and culturally competent advocacy, utilizing student third spaces with engaging events and community programming that bring students together, making it easier to get involved with the MSU, and making campus life more alive! Vote Saleem and live your dream!
saleem24@mcmaster.ca
Colin Scott Learn More
Hi! I’m Colin Scott, and I believe there is always more we can do for you. I will make the services offered by us simple to use, and accessible for everyone. Students should know how to get involved, and how to get help. I will prioritize access and communication which will grow engagement, helping us grow our community together. I hope you’ll support me to help make an amazing school so much better.
scottc48@mcmaster.ca
Christopher Xenos Learn More
Hi, I’m Christopher Xenos, a first year Social Science student running for MSU President. I have run in multiple elections and faced unfair disqualifications, yet I remain motivated to improve student life. I serve on every awards committee, founded Mac’s first Dining and Leadership Club, and I am a game developer with millions of plays. As president I will bring bold ideas, efficiency, transparency, and the drive to learn quickly and deliver results for students.
xenosc@mcmaster.ca
Events:
| Meet the Candidates: Live Lounge | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | TwelvEighty |
| Campaign Corner | Monday, January 26, 2026 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | The Hub (The Nest) |
| Presidential Debate | Tuesday, January 27, 2026 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | The Hub (The Nest) |
Important Documents:
Click here to access documents related to the MSU Presidential Election.
MSU Presidential Election Rules 2026
Appendix A – Social Media Guidelines
Click here to fill out your Campaign Social Media & Ballot Statement Form.
Elections Committee Updates:
In response to McMaster University’s closure on Monday January 26, 2026, the Elections Committee has extended voting until January 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
For more information, please review the motion approved by the Elections Committee:
Moved by Oberai, seconded by Bolca that the Elections Committee amend the 2026 MSU Presidential Election Rules to move the end of polling and end of campaign period to 11:59 PM, in all relevant rules, specifically Rules 4.1, 5.11, and 7.9.2, so that:
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Rule 4.1 shall read: “Campaigning will begin at 12:00 AM EST on January 18th, 2026, and end at 11:59 PM EST on January 29th, 2026.”
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Rule 5.11 shall read: “All campaign material, including tape, must be removed by 11:59 PM EST on January 29th, 2026, or fines may be applied during the appeals period.”
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Rule 7.9.2 shall be amended to replace the reference to the poll closing time, so that it reads: “30 minutes after the close of the polls, which will close at 11:59 PM EST on January 29th, 2026, for all complaints that occurred during the polling days.
Results:
Click here to view the Unofficial 2026 Presidential Election results.
MSU Referenda
A referendum of the general membership of the MSU may be called on a question of policy or any other matter, that may be held and voted on during the October By-Election, MSU Presidential Election, or SRA General Elections. It may result in the adoption of a new policy or fee increase.
There are different ways for a referendum to be called:
- A petition signed by three percent (3%) of the MSU membership delivered to the Vice-President (Administration);
- A resolution of the General Assembly;
- Or a majority vote of the total members of the SRA shall initiate a referendum.
All referenda called once the above conditions are met shall be administered by the Elections Committee, as outlined in their policies and bylaws.
Once a referendum has been called, and nominations have opened, students are able to put campaign teams together to advocate for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ side of the referendum.
The minimum number of ballots in a referendum must be equal to ten percent (10%) of the membership of the MSU for the results of the referendum to be a binding resolution on the SRA.
2026 Referenda:
This year the MSU will be sending two questions to referendum to be concurrent with the MSU Presidential Election:
OPIRG McMaster – Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) McMaster is a resource centre on campus that is committed to the area of social justice and environmental action, run primarily by students. OPIRG McMaster has funded and supported a variety of action groups, including McMaster’s Community Garden, Climate Justice McMaster, Mac Students for Bike Share, Stop Sprawl Students, and Meals with Purpose.
On June 22, 2025, the Student Representative Assembly (SRA) voted in favour of asking McMaster University to stop collecting OPIRG McMaster’s student levy, and to remove the group’s Bylaw 8 status. The SRA made this decision because OPIRG McMaster’s previous Board of Directors intended to separate from the OPIRG Ontario network against the terms of the original referendum that instituted the fee. McMaster University implemented this decision to stop collecting the OPIRG McMaster student levy and remove the group’s Bylaw 8 status.
Following OPIRG McMaster’s annual election and Annual General Meeting at the end of July 2025, a new Board of Directors was elected. OPIRG McMaster proceeded to submit a request to be reinstituted as a Bylaw 8 Group and for its fee to be sent to referendum.
On November 16th, 2025, the SRA voted in favour of calling a referendum to re-establish McMaster OPIRG’s Bylaw 8 Group status and the annual collection of its organizational fee, in response to OPIRG McMaster’s request. Students can review OPIRG McMaster’s full background, recent updates, and their referendum request in the memo linked here.
The options in this referendum are YES or NO.
Students may choose to vote either YES if they wish to reinstate the $5.69 annual fee (increasing annually by CPI, with the option to opt out) or NO if they do not wish to reinstate the $5.69 annual fee. Students may also choose to abstain from voting.
Do you agree to the re-establishment of an annual $5.69 fee (subject to annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment and individual opt-out) to support the McMaster chapter of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG)?
HSR Bus Pass – First established in 1997, full-time undergraduate McMaster students have access to a discounted Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) bus pass. The McMaster Students Union (MSU), McMaster University, and the HSR negotiate a new bus pass agreement every 3 years. The current agreement includes Fall-Winter, Summer, and Extended services and concludes on August 21, 2026.
On November 16th, 2026, the Student Representative Assembly (SRA) voted in favour of calling a referendum to renew the HSR Bus Pass agreement for the 2026–2029 term. The proposed agreement maintains the same cost breakdown as the current 2023–2026 contract. Full details on the proposed fee structure, ridership data, and service enhancements can be found in the memo to the SRA.
The price of a publicly available HSR Bus pass is $125.40/month for the 2025 calendar year. The MSU bus pass contract prices are based on a percentage of this publicly available HSR bus pass. The proposed annual fees are as follows:
2026-2027: $260.90
2027-2028: $265.32
2028-2029: $269.74
The options in this referendum are YES or NO. Students may choose to vote either YES if they wish to continue the HSR Bus Pass (U-Pass) Fee (mandatory, without the option to opt-out) or NO if they do not wish to continue the HSR Bus Pass Fee. Students may also choose to abstain from voting.
Do you agree to the continuation of the HSR Bus Pass (U-Pass) Fee (mandatory, without the option for opt-out) for the next 3 years at $260.90 for 2026-2027, $265.32 for 2027-2028, and $269.74 for 2028-2029?
Alumo: Virtual Health Care – The McMaster Students Union (MSU) currently offers Health and Dental Insurance, as well as the Student Assistance Program (SAP), to MSU Members through Alumo, formerly known as WeSpeakStudent.
On November 30th, 2025, the Student Representative Assembly (SRA) voted in favour of calling a referendum to introduce additional healthcare coverage under the Alumo Virtual Health Care Program. The new coverage will offer 24/7 phone/video call access to medical professionals and virtual prescription/refill services, on top of existing mental health support. Click here to view the memo to the SRA for more information.
The Virtual Health Care Program is a separate offering giving students additional supports as listed below; however, the two services are offered together via the same platform through Dialogue. This chart below outlines the existing and added health coverage benefits in how students will be supported by each respective framework.
| Student Assistance Program (SAP) |
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| Added Benefits via Alumo Virtual Health Care Program |
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Opting out of this fee will follow the same process and dates as opting out of the current Health and Dental Insurance. You cannot opt out of the Student Assistance Program as it is paid for by the MSU and does not incur any annual fees from students.
If the new fee is instated, students will have the choice to select from either of the following 4 options:
- Opt-out of the Alumo Virtual Health Care Program fee without opting out of the existing Health and Dental Services
- Opt-out of Health and/or Dental Services without opting out of the Alumo Virtual Health Care program
- Opt-out of all programs, while maintaining access to the Student Assistance Plan
- Stay opted in to all programs
The new Alumo Virtual Health Care Program will be based on a $35.25 fee + tax per year, increasing annually by Consumer Price Index (CPI) and/or market requirements, based on inflation, student opt-out rates, and service usage.
The options in the referendum are YES and NO. Students may choose to vote either YES if they wish to establish an additional annual fee of $35.25 + tax (with the option to opt out) or NO if they do not wish to establish the annual fee of $35.25 + tax. Students may also choose to abstain from voting.
Do you agree to establish an annual $35.25 fee + tax (with a maximum annual increase by CPI or market requirements, with the option to opt out) to expand our current healthcare coverage, as described above, through the addition of the Alumo Virtual Health Care Program effective September 1, 2026?
You can find all the important dates and documentation below. If you have questions about the procedures, please reach out to the Elections Department.
Important Dates:
Proclamation: November 24, 2025
Nomination Period: November 24, 2025 – January 16, 2026
All Candidates Meeting: January 16, 2026 at 5:30PM to 7:30PM Location HSC 1A6
Campaigning Period: January 18 – 29, 2026
Polling Dates: January 27-29, 2026 (Voting will close at 11:59PM)
*This meeting is mandatory in order to be considered eligible to run. If you cannot make this date, please contact the CRO to arrange another time.
Important Documents:
Click here to access documents related to the 2026 MSU Referenda.
Click here to fill out your Campaign Social Media & Ballot Statement Form
Elections Committee Updates:
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Rule 4.1 shall read: “Campaigning will begin at 12:00 AM EST on January 18th, 2026, and end at 11:59 PM EST on January 29th, 2026.”
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Rule 5.11 shall read: “All campaign material, including tape, must be removed by 11:59 PM EST on January 29th, 2026, or fines may be applied during the appeals period.”
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Rule 7.8.2 shall read: “30 minutes after the close of the polls for all complaints that occurred during the polling days (January 29th, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST).”
Results:
Click here to view the Alumo Virtual Healthcare Referendum 2026
Click here to view the HSR Bus Pass Referendum 2026
Click here to view the OPIRG McMaster Referendum 2026