GW Law Student Bar Association Passes Election Reform
The new legislation requires president and vice president candidates to run on a joint ticket.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Legislative Policy
Live Poll
Do you believe requiring student government leaders to run on joint tickets improves representation?
The Student Bar Association at George Washington University Law School unanimously passed the UPGRADE Act on October 27. The act mandates that candidates for president and executive vice president must campaign as a team starting next fall.
Why it matters
The change aims to ensure the executive vice president can more effectively assist the president in leadership duties. Supporters believe campaigning as a joint ticket will strengthen administrative cooperation within the student government.
The legislation increases senator campaign spending limits to $50 from the previous $35 limit. Additionally, the association allocated $2,264 to the International Law Society and $372.35 for the Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Sports Law Association.
The players
Student Bar Association
This is the representative governing body for students at the George Washington University Law School.
International Law Society
This student organization at GW Law focuses on the study and practice of international legal systems.
Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Sports Law Association
This student group provides resources for those interested in legal careers within the entertainment and sports industries.
Anti-Corruption and Compliance Association
This newly recognized organization at the law school focuses on anti-corruption legal standards and corporate compliance.
Lech Wałęsa
He is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President of Poland who is tentatively scheduled for a campus event.
The details
The newly passed Updating Policies and Governance for Renewed Administrative Direction and Elections Act also defines at-large class seats and requests that school officials produce additional merchandise. Furthermore, the association granted official organization status to the Anti-Corruption and Compliance Association.
Timeline
October 2026: Senators converted class seats.
October 27, 2026: SBA senators passed the UPGRADE Act.
November 16, 2026: Tentative International Law Society event for Lech Wałęsa.
November 17, 2026: Last fall semester meeting and speaker election.
Spring 2027: Provisional speaker serves during the spring term.
Political Context
The UPGRADE Act standardizes internal executive election procedures at the university. This marks a departure from independent candidacy models, though some members may argue these stricter requirements potentially limit the field of potential candidates for student leadership.
These changes impact how student candidates manage their campaign budgets and form running tickets for future elections. Students interested in running for office must now navigate the new $200 joint spending cap and team-based organizational requirements.
The takeaway
The move to joint presidential tickets reflects a broader trend toward consolidated student government structures. Prospective candidates should review the updated campaign spending limits to ensure compliance with the new election rules.
What happens next
The speaker of the senate election is scheduled for November 17, 2026, to allow the inaugural senator time to prepare for the spring term.
Further reading
For more information on local governance, visit the Legislative Policy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The GW Hatchet.
Live Poll
Do you believe requiring student government leaders to run on joint tickets improves representation?
