Number of write-in candidates escalates in ASUA elections
ASUA officials attributed a surge of write-in candidates last week to the small number of students officially running for election.
Associated Students Elections Commissioner Anthony J. Hill said yesterday about 10 people requested information regarding write-in candidacy, and two people have already applied as official write-in participants.
"This school has never been a write-in school," Hill said, adding that student interest in off-ballot candidates may be piqued by a lack of competition.
Veneranda Aguirre, a political science junior, filed as a write-in candidate for the uncontested Administrative Vice President position. Hill said there probably will be another write-in competing in that race.
"Obviously students are not happy with that particular race," he said in the wake of alleged campaigning violations by candidate Viviane Safrin.
Aguirre said she decided to run after finding out the position was uncontested and Safrin had violated election policies.
"I've been really disillusioned with ASUA," said Aguirre. "I want to see if I can really accomplish anything on campus."
History and political science freshman Seth Frantzman had planned all year to run for senate, but ended up as a write-in because he missed the deadline.
Campaigning as a write-in is "not the easiest thing," Frantzman said.
He said he believes the increased interest in write-ins may be because "people don't feel ASUA represents them."
In order to become an official candidate on the general ballot, a write-in for president must receive 500 votes in the primary election. Write-in candidates for a vice president position must receive 400 votes in the primary and a candidate for senator needs 300 votes.
An ASUA official never has been elected as a write-in candidate, or even made it past the primary, Hill said.
Starting as a write-in is the most difficult way to enter the elections process, Hill said. But, he encouraged students to apply in the ASUA Elections Commissioner's office.
Write-in candidates need to fill out an eligibility form and an application. All candidates are held to the rules outlined in the election code.
|
