Student leaders are taking steps to make upcoming ASUA elections run smoother than past years by changing the election code bylaws and opening up lines of communication between current office holders and candidates.

Last year, concerns arose when there were not enough applicants to fill the 10 seats in the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Senate.

When the deadline to turn in applications was extended, some candidates argued it was against the bylaws in the election code.

In December, corrections to bylaws were made at a senate meeting to clarify the course of action if a scenario like it arises again.

But, Adam Falck, ASUA elections commissioner, said he doesn't expect it to be a problem this year because he has already seen an increased interest from students in running for an office.

"Students have seen all of the great work we've done last semester with our civic engagement series," said Falck, a molecular and cellular biology senior.

The presidential election inspired many UA students to participate in politics, which is a main reason for early interest in ASUA, Falck said.

Falck said he expects not only to see an increase in candidates, but an increase in voter turnout on election days. In past years, about 2,000 to 3,000 students cast a ballot for ASUA elections, he said.

"I truly think we could get up to 10,000 students to vote," Falck said.

Chris Bischof, a history freshman, said he thinks it is important for all UA students to vote so they can be adequately represented.

"Voting is the only way we can exercise power over faculty," Bischof said. "Individual action won't work."

Falck said while increased interest in politics is good, he hopes potential candidates are serious and passionate about being involved in student government.

"I want them to be viable, very devoted candidates," he said. "Ones who have a platform they want to embrace."

Falck said he will sit down with each candidate and explain the bylaws of the election code to avoid any misunderstandings.

In addition, Falck asked Ben Graff, student regent, to present ways for candidates to run successful campaigns.

Graff, a second-year law student, has held various offices in ASUA including student body president during the 2000-2001 academic year.

Graff said the main problem for potential candidates is they are aren't sure how to run a campaign. Organization and development of a solid platform are two areas Graff said he wants to teach candidates.

Some students hesitate to run for an office because they don't feel like they fit certain stereotypes, Graff said.

"There is a lot of superstition about the type of person you have to be," Graff said. "Every student has the opportunity to run."

Graff said no student should feel intimidated to run, and platforms don't have to be as monumental as lowering tuition. Candidates should just be interested listening to the UA student body, he said.

Even though David Wallace, an education freshman, wasn't on campus last year for the election turmoil, he was surprised to hear about such low candidate turnout.

Wallace, who was vice president in his high school government, said one reason he never considered running for an ASUA position was because he thought there would be too many people running against him.

Application packets for students interested in running for office can be picked up beginning Wednesday in the ASUA offices in the Student Union Memorial Center. Packets must be completed and turned in by Feb. 2 to officially run.