Several changes mark ASUSU elections
Among several changes in this year’s Utah State University student government elections, an increase in candidates has this year’s officers hoping for a corresponding increase in voter turnout.
This year, 66 students are vying for student leadership positions – up from last year, when about 45 students ran. Last year, Ben Riley ran for ASUSU president uncontested. This year, seven candidates are competing for the position. All candidates must be in good standing with the university, maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average and carry a class load of at least 12 credits.
ASUSU Public Relations Vice President Marni Jenkins said she hopes voter turnout will be higher this year.Voter turnout at last year’s final election totaled 2,638, or 13 percent of the student body.
Jenkins said students should get out and vote because the elections show who will be the future of USU.
“We try our hardest to represent the students,” she said. “We encourage students to make an informed vote.”
Another major change in this year’s elections is that students will be able to go back and check their votes – and even change them – up to the time the polls close.
Voting will be done entirely online this year, at www.usu.edu/asusu/elections.html, and using their student ID numbers, students can verify that they voted for who they wanted to vote for and can change that vote until voting ends.
Members of student government at USU plan activities like dances and lectures and sit on academic committees.
Primary voting will begin at 8 a.m. Thursday and run until 4 p.m. Friday. Final candidates will be announced Friday at 5 p.m. in the Hub. Final voting will begin at 8 a.m. Feb. 28 and end at 5 p.m. March 1.