Wednesday 26-03-2025 - 09:51

 

This year’s Full-Time Officer Elections were a huge success. Take a look as we break down the record-breaking voting period. 

 

 
Earlier this month in the Learning Zone, we found out who would be leading your LUSU for the 2025/26 Academic Year. It was a successful night, brought on by an amazing turnout during this year’s voting period. 
 
In case you missed it, here is your Full-Time Officer Team for 2025/26: 
 
President: Rory O’Ceallaigh (he/him)
When asked by SCAN Lancaster what he believes helped his campaign, Rory recounted his use of stickers, stating they were a ‘a gateway to talk to people, that human interaction…’ 
 
You can read more about Rory’s aims as president in his manifesto here.
 
Activities Officer: Emily Woods (she/her)
President of Pendle JCR, Emily is ready to take on her role as Activities Officer and #BringRosesHome for the 60th Anniversary Home Roses next year. She’s also keen to tackle accessibility in Sport and Societies. 
 
You can read more about Emily’s plans in her manifesto here.
 
Education Officer: Niamh McAuley 
After volunteering as a Faculty Rep in FASS, Niamh is ready to take on her role as Education Officer, ‘and not just benefit people in FASS but everyone [in the] university’
 
You can read Niamh’s manifesto here.  
 
Wellbeing Officer: Leah Buttery (she/they)
When asked what some of her first steps would be by SCAN, Leah said she hopes to have open forums ‘with student groups, like student wellbeing officers, JCRs, and society execs, giving them a direct line of contact with the union.’ 
 
You can read more about Leah’s plans in their manifesto here.
 
 
This year saw us breaking records. With 4491 students casting their vote, we reached a turnout of 27.5% - that’s the highest we have ever seen at Lancaster! And it’s even one of the highest SU election turnouts in the country. 
 

At LUSU, we don’t incentivise voting. This means that every vote presented, was motivated by student care for the future of your students’ union. Give yourselves a pat on the back! 
 
 
 
And that’s not all. As you’ve probably heard, for every 20 votes, we plant one tree on campus. And so, from all the votes counted, we’ll be planting 225 trees on campus next year – go you! 
 
 
 
And your colleges showed up too! 
 
We had amazing turnouts from the colleges this year, with over 300 voters from each of our 9 colleges. 
 
But this year, the biggest voters were… 
 
County College! 
 
With 646 voters, County made up 14.8% of all voters during the elections, with over 30% of the County population using their vote. Teamwork makes the dream work! 

	Voters	% of College Population	% of All Voters
County	646	33.9%	14.8%
Furness	482	31.3%	11.0%
Pendle	524	31.0%	12.0%
Grizedale	429	29.2%	9.8%
Lonsdale	563	28.2%	12.9%
Cartmel	515	27.5%	11.8%
Fylde	419	26.2%	9.6%
Bowland	396	23.5%	9.1%
Graduate	381	7.5%	8.7%

 
But these aren’t the only things to celebrate. 
 
Here at LUSU, we’re all about championing are students to be the best they can, and to campaign for what matters to them. This includes encouraging our Women+ students to take a stand and fight for their place in student leadership. 
 
From our She Calls the Shots Campaign ran by your Wellbeing Officer, Ella, and Women+ Forum, as well as the new Women+ Network created by Ella and your Women+ LCO, Millie – LUSU wants your voices to be heard. 
 
Which is why it is amazing to see that this year, students voted in three Women+ leaders for the 2025/26 Academic Year. 
 
Wellbeing Officer, Ella Smith, says: 
 
‘I'm delighted to see next year's officer team having three women+. Representation is so important, especially in FTO positions. For any position of leadership, it is really powerful to have someone you relate to act as a role model, it definitely provides encouragement.’ 
 
And your Women+ LCO, Millie Ni-Elle Ashton, recognises that we’ve still got work to do: 
 
‘While I celebrate the remarkable achievement of having three women+ people elected as our next Wellbeing, Activities and Education officers, I cannot help but notice the absence of women candidates in our presidential race. This shift is concerning, especially when we've seen capable women step forward in the past… True progress isn't measured just by occasional representation, but by creating spaces where women feel consistently empowered to lead in any capacity without facing disproportionate obstacles.’
 
 
This Elections period has been an incredible success – and it’s all thanks to you! With students leading the way and putting their mark on the future of student leadership and experiences, we’re able to see change that matters to you. 
 
Students are at the forefront of what we do, and we hope you’re as excited as we are for what’s to come. 
 
 
Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.