Undergraduate Senate Candidates Won Seats
The Undergraduate Student Association Senate was seated following a multi-day election period.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Elections
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Twelve candidates secured seats on the Undergraduate Student Association Senate after running in an uncontested election. Charlene Okine also emerged victorious in the Student Association presidential race, defeating Aidan Thomas.
Why it matters
The uncontested outcome followed a failure by potential candidates to meet the official submission deadline. The new members officially assumed their roles after the results were confirmed.
A total of 3,408 students voted in the election, which saw Charlene Okine defeat Aidan Thomas by 422 votes. Mei Lien Szumigala secured 1,003 votes, while Aeaad Alawaad returned to the Senate for a second term.
The players
Charlene Okine
She is the newly elected president of the University at Buffalo Student Association.
Aidan Thomas
He is a student leader who intends to work with the new senate to prioritize oversight and accountability.
Aeaad Alawaad
He is a returning senator who secured his second term on the undergraduate board.
Mei Lien Szumigala
She is a student representative who received 1,003 votes in the recent senate election.
The details
The election process, which involved the UB Fresh Faces and Unity4UB parties, took place at the University at Buffalo. Candidates took office immediately following the announcement of the results.
Timeline
The election period was held from Sep. 14 to Sep. 18, 2026.
Election results were announced and candidates took office on Sep. 18, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the current election structure have raised concerns regarding the lack of competitive seats in this cycle. Critics argue that the deadline failure resulted in a non-representative ballot that limited the ability of the student body to choose their leadership.
Students at the University at Buffalo will now be represented by 12 uncontested senators who hold office through the upcoming term. These officials are tasked with setting university policy and managing student association budgets for the academic year.
The takeaway
Student engagement in university governance is highly dependent on meeting strict administrative filing deadlines. Ensuring these dates are understood can prevent uncontested races and increase student representation in the future.
Further reading
For additional context on local campus leadership, visit the Elections section.
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