LETTER: Election ethics are forgotten

Editor,

The week of March 15 through 19 will hold the full attention of at least 63 people at Utah State University. I speak of the upcoming ASUSU elections when 63 candidates from various offices will devote their time and energy into proving why they are the more qualified person for their respective offices.

In the election by-laws, which were distributed to all candidates, there is one very specific rule which is very plain: “A candidate or any representative is not allowed to solicit or campaign for themselves at any public or private meetings prior to the Monday or primary elections at 7 a.m.” To me, this seems quite clear cut: Keep your campaign mouth quiet until March 15.

Unfortunately, this rule doesn’t necessarily apply to those officers who are returning for another round of campaigning. Wednesday’s article concerning ASUSU officers who are running again unfairly spotlighted five people. I understand the interest in wanting to know why officers choose to run again; however, what I do not understand is why these five people get the chance to talk about their past experiences and how they are more qualified now that they are on executive council.

It seems to me that this completely discounts the hard work, experience and motives of the 58 other candidates who take this campaign equally as serious.

There was a statement made by a returning member of ASUSU that said, “Being able to observe and maybe not opening my mouth all the time requires me to listen. Those observations would help me out.”

While I agree that observing ASUSU at work is the best way to gain knowledge of the body, it is ridiculous to imply that only these five people have gained this sort of knowledge. I know that there are many hopeful candidates who are not currently on council who have attended these meetings weekly. The executive council meetings are open to the public and more than just ASUSU officers are allowed to observe. I am very disappointed in the disregard by these officers to up hold the ethics of this campaign.

Kathy Leslie