Candidates must obey rules
The Associated Students of Utah State University’s Executive Council election calendar is taking shape, and there are 52 candidates for next year’s 20 positions.
Campaigning for primary elections will begin Feb. 25, and the candidates will be required to abide by many rules.
Candidates are allowed to begin campaigning at 3 p.m. During primary elections, no A-frames can be set up around campus. Candidates can go to off-campus housing to campaign, but no campaigning is to take place in the community, according to the A-station Web site.
Final elections will begin March 3 at 7 a.m. Two hours after the voting polls close March 6 at 3 p.m., the winners will be announced in the Taggart Student Center Sunburst Lounge, according to the elections calendar.
Camey Hatch, ASUSU Public Relations vice president, said there will be five locations around campus where candidates can place their A-frames during final elections, such as by the HPER, the TSC and the Business Building.
Candidates must follow a strict budget.
“You cannot spend more than $400 total for primaries and finals,” Hatch said.
The candidates must keep track of all the money and donations spent on their campaign. Any candidate who spends more than $400 will be disqualified.
“[The candidates] stop people between classes, and people get annoyed,” Hatch said.
University policy states that candidates cannot send mass e-mails to students. However, the candidates can e-mail people on their elections committees, according to the Web site.
Candidates who break any of the rules are turned over to the Grievance Board. The board consists of 12 members who review any or all complaints the candidates make before and during elections, said Andrea Ekins, head of this year’s board.
If a candidate is turned in for breaking the rules, he will meet with the board to tell his side of the story.
“After hearing both sides, the board will make a decision for how the defendant will be penalized,” Ekins said.
Penalties may include confiscation and/or restriction of campaign materials, restriction on campaigning times and/or budget, or disqualification.
All voting will be done online from a link on WebMail and A-station. Students can vote only for senators running from their respective college. Students can change their votes as many times as they want but only their last ballot will be recorded.
“I encourage everyone to vote,” Ekins said. “Your peer student body officers will be your leaders of the coming school year. Choose your vote wisely. Come to the forums and receptions for a chance to get to know the candidates on a one-on-one basis.”
Hatch said that in the past, about 13 percent of the student body has voted. Some students only vote for president.
“Last year is the largest we’ve had in quite awhile,” she said. “ASUSU is the voice of the students. This is their one chance to affect that voice.”
This year, there are three unopposed offices: Academic vice president, Graduate Studies vice president and Natural Resources senator. There are four students running for president — all males — and four for executive vice president — three males, one female.
–mmackay@cc.usu.edu