ASUA primaries survive despite question of cost

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Gilbert Davidson

"We have to follow the rules stated in the Elections Code and the primary elections are planned months in advance," Associated Students Elections Commissioner Marcos Hernandez said.

This year, three candidates are running for president, two are running for executive vice president, three are running for administrative vice president and 17 candidates are running for the Senate.

According to the Elections Code, only two presidential, executive vice president, and administrative vice president candidates will continue to the general elections.

Twenty Senate candidates will survive the primary elections, the code states. Ten will be elected in the general election.

ASUA will hold its primary elections Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 to elect candidates for 1998-1999 student-government positions.

ASUA President Gilbert Davidson said though ASUA must abide by the Elections Code this year, a provision could be added to it in the future to eliminate the primary election if so few candidates run.

It would take Senate approval to change the Elections Code, and ASUA's Constitution states that all changes must be approved before the spring semester begins.

Davidson also said the primary election reminds UA students to vote in the general election March 3 and March 4.

"The primary election this year will serve as a good indication to the candidates on how much they need to campaign for the General Election," Davidson said.

Administrative vice president candidate Ryan Rosensteel, molecular and cellular biology and political science sophomore, said he is in favor of keeping the primary election.

"It is important to narrow the race to two people," he said. "It will give the two candidates more visibility. Three candidates might end up splitting votes."

Senate candidate Jonathan Fine, general business junior, also said primary elections should not be eliminated.

"It's necessary for candidates to see where they stand and the campaigning that goes on for the primaries lets students know about the issues at stake early," he said.

Hernandez said plans have already been made to use new ballots in the primary and general elections. On the new ballots, which were given to ASUA by Pima County, students will bubble in their votes the ballots instead of punching holes.