Messages from the Chief Returning Officer

February 27, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

2026 is a presidential election year for the University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA). I have been appointed by UTFA Council as the Chief Returning Officer (CRO) for this election. The nomination period for the 2026 UTFA presidential election opens on Sunday, March 1, 2026, and closes on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (noon).

The UTFA President serves for two years, from July 1 immediately following the date of election. The President may serve up to three two-year terms consecutively. 

The duties and terms of reference for the President are set out in the UTFA Constitution and By-Laws. The President of UTFA is directly elected by the members of the Association. 

Any UTFA member in good standing may be nominated for the position of President. Candidates must be nominated by either two (2) members of UTFA Council or ten (10) members of the Association. 

The UTFA Presidential Election page is where you will find: Guidelines for the Presidential Election; nomination forms, important deadlines and requirements.

If there is more than one nominee, election forums will be announced and information about the balloting process will be provided. Balloting will take place between noon on Thursday, March 19, 2026 and noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.  If there is only one nominee, that candidate will be acclaimed.

Save the dates: Pending candidate availability, the presidential forums will be scheduled on the following dates:

• Wednesday, March 18, 5 - 6 p.m.

• Thursday, March 19, 10 - 11 a.m.

The forums will be held via Zoom. Recordings of each forum will be posted on the UTFA website.

If you have any questions about the nomination or election process, please write to me at cro2026@utfa.org.   

Sincerely, 

Professor Susan Bondy
Chief Returning Officer