diff --git a/helios/views.py b/helios/views.py
index 021e448798276d1c8aacd52c04b46e8eb45e94fe..245497d0a3b4aee6f4e84b3646688e2e7fcfae1c 100644
--- a/helios/views.py
+++ b/helios/views.py
@@ -194,8 +194,11 @@ def election_new(request):
     
   error = None
   
+  user = get_user(request)
+
   if request.method == "GET":
-    election_form = forms.ElectionForm(initial={'private_p': settings.HELIOS_PRIVATE_DEFAULT})
+    election_form = forms.ElectionForm(initial={'private_p': settings.HELIOS_PRIVATE_DEFAULT,
+                                                'help_email': user.email})
   else:
     election_form = forms.ElectionForm(request.POST)