# Election process

## Types of elections

### Helpful User elections

Current Helpful Users are notified of an upcoming election. They may choose to take part in the election process. If they choose to join, they will become an _elector_ and be added to a private ticket.

All users are _eligible candidates_.

**Criteria:**
Helpful Users are chosen for contributing positively and consistently to the server culture or to the support channels.

### Moderator elections

For moderator elections, all moderators are considered _electors_ and expected to take part in the election process. This will take place in a private ticket.

Only Helpful Users (including mods and sudoers) are _eligible candidates_.

**Criteria:**
TODO

## The election cycle

1. **Nomination phase:**
Any _eligible candidate_ may nominate any _eligible candidate_, including themselves, to the election. Nominations should take into account the criteria for the position.
2. **Consent phase:**
Candidates choose to accept or decline their nomination.
Candidates who do not accept by the end of the **consent phase** are considered to have declined their nomination.
3. **Voting phase:**
Nominated candidates are voted on (using [approval voting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Approval_voting)) by _eligible candidates_.
The results are tallied.
4. **Approval phase:**
After the voting phase, the _electors_ discuss the results of the election phase and any concerns with candidates.
The _electors_ may choose to admit candidates. Admitting a candidate requires __full consensus__ of the _electors_ (100% agreement).

## Notes

The private channel for each election cycle will not be shown to the candidates of that cycle, even after the election ends. Knowing that feedback will not be seen by its subjects may help electors openly express concerns with candidates.

Campaigning and asking for votes is prohibited. _Electors_ are not allowed to discuss their votes until the **approval phase** begins.