LLS Staff Senate nominations open during the summer; all LLS staff may submit nominations and all LLS staff are eligible to vote. Senator positions are divided into five areas, each area represented by two staff senators. There is one "senator at large" which is selected based on the number of votes received regardless of their area.
Staff must complete one full year of employment at LLS as a permanent employee at the time nominations open to be eligible for staff senate. A senator can accept their nomination if their supervisor gives written approval that the nominee's senate service will not interfere with the normal functions or execution of their duties. Once the nominee has been deemed eligible, has accepted the nomination, and their supervisor has approved their candidacy, the nominee's name will be added to the election ballot.
Senators serve for a term of two years and may be eligible for reelection for one successive term. After two successive terms (four years), a senator must take a minimum of a one-year hiatus before pursuing reelection to the senate.
Senate terms commence on the day of the August meeting following the summer election and conclude in the senator's second year on the day prior to the new senator meeting.