Information sessions open to potential 2016 student candidates
The 2016 USUSA elections are right around the corner, and USU elections committee is working on new strategies to increase the number of students involved.
Only 10 percent of the student body voted in last year’s elections, according to USUSA public relations and marketing director Madison Maners. Of approximately 15,000 students on Logan campus, only 1,500 to 2,500 students cast their ballots.
One of these new elective committee strategies involved donuts and chocolate milk Friday morning.
The light refreshments were incentives for students to come to the first information session for all students and current officers interested in running in the 2016 elections.
“Our goals of the info sessions is first to create a safe place,” Maners said. “The people who are currently in positions are the best resource for candidates who are running, but there’s never been an opportunity to establish that relationship between candidate and current officer.”
Maners said the idea for the information sessions was considered on Wednesday. The next day the information was sent out to students who expressed interest in running in the 2016 elections. Friday morning over 15 students and officers attended the meeting.
“We’re trying to establish and increase communication and spread the word about elections,” said Maners.
A second goal of the informal information sessions is to give students more comprehensive information about bylaws. The purpose of bylaws is to define and identify procedures for the election of USUSA officers. Included in bylaws are eligibility and guidelines for election.
During the meeting, current USUSA student body president Trevor Olsen advised attendees to know the bylaws “inside and out,” as even a slight misdemeanor could land candidates into trouble.
“Elections are fun,” encouraged USUSA programming vice president Sawyer Hemsley. “It’s not supposed to be stressful. Have fun with it.”
Last year Utah State saw an increased voter turnout, Maners said. This year the elective committee is running an informational campaign about declaring candidacy, educating students about positions and the election process. They will also be urging students to vote for the people do declare candidacy. Maners said she’s hoping to maximize the momentum from the last few successful election cycles.
“There’s never been a push to declare candidacy,” Maners said. “The big push has always come in voter turnout. Our goals are really two-fold. We want to increase declaration of candidacy numbers as well as voting numbers.”
During the meeting Friday, Hemsley advised potential candidates on what they could work on right now to prepare to run for office. He suggested students should learn about the different positions and decide on which one to run for, then come up with goals for what they want to accomplish if they are elected.
Hemsley also advised attendees to develop slogans, fundraise money and educate volunteers who are willing to support them.
“It’s not about the scholarship, the money, the power or a title,” Hemsley said. “It’s about change and making things better for students.”
Two more information sessions will be held after the winter break, one on Jan. 13 at 12:30 p.m. and another at Jan. 20 at 3:30 p.m. Hemsley said the reason the times are different to allow students with busy schedules more opportunity to make it to a session.
The first day to declare candidacy is on Jan. 18, open for a week before closing on Jan. 25. The preemptive information sessions are not necessary for candidates to attend.
— ashley.ruth.stilson@aggiemail.usu.edu