By
Emily Severson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
ASUA election turnout up 57 percent
Ray Quintero and Kristel Miller won the presidential ASUA primary last night in an election that saw voter turnout increase by 57 percent.
The voter turnout for this election was 2,398, compared to 1,532 last year, said Joe Rodgers, the Associated Students of the University of Arizona elections commissioner.
"Voter turnout was overwhelming," Rodgers said. "These numbers show that not only did people vote but they took the time to read the candidate (biographies) and voted for more than one person."
Quintero, a marketing junior, was ahead with 897 votes or 37.4 percent of the total. Miller, a political science and English sophomore, followed with 547 votes or 22.8 percent. All candidates for executive vice president, administrative vice president and senate advanced to general elections on March 7.
The results were announced on the UofA Bookstore steps to a crowd of about 50 candidates and supporters. This was the first time ASUA elections were done online.
The race for the presidency was narrowed to two candidates, with Sen. Seth Frantzman and current ASUA administrative vice president Tiffany Podbielski being eliminated.
For Miller and Quintero, the announcement meant more campaigning and attempting to reach more students.
Quintero said he did not know what to expect before the announcement but he expects to be busier during the next week.
"I am just going to keep doing what I have been doing, but better because I really want to be student body president," Quintero said.
Miller said she was nervous before the announcement but she was excited that voter turnout was so high this year.
"I plan to visit more clubs before the election," she said. "I want to make sure to let people know the issues and the reasons that make me a better candidate."
Frantzman and Podbielski said focusing on their current positions is a priority.
Podbielski said that she might apply for an appointed position within ASUA or perhaps try to be an Arizona Students Association lobbyist.
"Even though I didn't continue on into the primary, I would encourage everyone to vote for Ray Quintero," Podbielski added. "There is only one candidate left to vote for."
Frantzman said that he would keep working on his campaign issues, such as student seating at McKale Center. He also was considering applying for appointed positions.
In the executive vice president race, Sam Chang led Matt Bailey with 54 percent of the vote. For administrative vice president, Tricia Williams was ahead of Brandon D'Angelo with 48.1 percent.
Although all 15 candidates for Senate will advance to the general election, the top three candidates were Jennifer Reece, a biochemistry sophomore with 58 percent of the votes, Allison Jones, a pre-business freshman with 45.6 percent and Sarah Calvert, an undeclared freshman with 45 percent.
Jones said she was grateful for the support she received from the students and will continue to reach out to them.
"I think it's amazing - I'm glad students want what I guessed that they would want," she said. "It's just so awesome. I am really excited."
