The Elections Officer does many tasks, including:

Elections Committee

• Chairing the Elections Committee, setting its agenda and leading its meetings.
• Acting as the main point of contact between the Elections Committee, Federal Executive and wider Young Liberals on electoral matters.

Elections Strategy

• Planning, reviewing and implementing the Young Liberals Elections Strategy, particularly ahead of General Elections.
• Coordinating with LDHQ, the Federal Party and State Parties on campaigning priorities.
• Keeping track of young candidates, particularly those standing in competitive or target seats, as well as any relevant by-elections.
• Supporting State and Regional Organisations, Branches and Societies to set priorities for elections in their areas.
• Looking for ways to make campaigning as inclusive as possible, including clerical campaigning opportunities and virtual phonebanking.

Campaigning & Action Days

• Organising Young Liberals federal Action Days in target seats. This includes setting a timetable, working with local parties and encouraging members to attend.
• Organising phonebanking sessions to support campaigns, including sessions to encourage members to attend Action Days and phone canvassing sessions.
• Coordinating non-federal Action Days with State Officers and Regional Chairs to maximise opportunities and avoid unnecessary clashes.
• Supporting State and Regional Organisations with planning their own Action Days.
• Working with the Communications Officer to promote campaign events and activity.

Future Forward

• Overseeing and administering the Young Liberals' young candidate support scheme, currently called Future Forward.
• Working with the Elections Committee to plan the programme, set the selection timetable and organise the training and campaign support offered.
• Working with State and Regional Chairs, and the wider Liberal Democrats where needed, to promote the programme before applications open.
• Delivering training with organisations such as ALDC and experienced campaigners to help members develop their campaigning skills.
• Coordinating any literature support provided through the programme, subject to available funding.

Supporting Young Candidates

• Encouraging and supporting young members to stand in local elections.
• Identifying members who should be encouraged to pursue PPC approval and selection.
• Working with the Membership Development Officer and other experienced people to provide campaigning training.
• Working with party bodies such as the Campaign for Gender Balance and Campaign for Racial Equality to promote diversity support schemes.
• Working with other organisations, including Lib Dem Women and the LGA, to signpost young members towards further support, opportunities and potential mentors.

The Elections Officer leads YL's electoral and campaigning work, bringing together longer-term strategy with practical campaigning activity. You will work closely with State and Regional Organisations, Branches, Societies and the wider Liberal Democrats, while also supporting young members who want to stand for election or selection.

Time Commitment

The amount of time required varies considerably depending on the electoral calendar. Quieter months will mainly involve Elections Committee meetings, planning and ongoing campaign support, while significantly more time will be needed ahead of May elections and while Future Forward is running.

On average, the role is around 8–16 hours per month, rising to around 13–26 hours per month during peak periods.