Last update: 3/15/07 at 9:39 PM PST
AS election changes aimed at stimulating student voting turnout
Matt Jarrell
Issue date: 3/16/07 Section: News
New strategies will be executed in the 2007-2008 Associated Students Board of Directors election in hopes of more candidates, more voters and a fair election, said election coordinator Molly Ayre-Svingen.
According to official ballot numbers from previous polls, the average voter turnout for AS Elections in the last five years is 16.14 percent of the student body.
"To increase voter turn out and awareness there will be a polling station in Red Square during the election," Ayre-Svingen said. "There will be wireless laptops available for students to vote right then and there as they are passing by."
Another change in the election is the deadline for each candidate's financial statement. In the financial statement, each candidate records how he or she spent their campaign money, ensuring they did not go over the $150 limit.
Candidates interested in participating in the 2007-2008 AS Board of Directors election can turn a completed filing packet by 5 p.m. on April 5 to Viking Union room 504.
The candidacy filing packet includes valuable paperwork for candidates including a timeline, checklist and a candidate statement that will be published in the AS Review, The Western Front and the online ballot.
After registering for the election, each candidate must get 150 student signatures on a petition. Receiving a student's signature on a petition is confirms their support for that specific candidate.
"Filling the petition has given me the opportunity to get to know different people and really put my name out there," said Western sophomore and candidate for vice president of academic affairs, Annie Jansen.
After completing the petition, each candidate must attend a mandatory meeting at 5:30 p.m. on April 6 in Viking Union room 462. Campaigning begins the following morning at 10 a.m.
Campaigning is stressful, but the end result is worth it, said AS Vice President for activities Nate Panelo.
"A good candidate is someone who is passionate, has a sense of personality, and knows this campus well," Panelo said. "You can tell who puts their all into it, and it will reflect in a successful year if elected."
Erik Lowe, Western sophomore and candidate for Vice President of legislative affairs, said he has always been interested in politics after his work with the Western Democrats and the Legislative Affairs Council.
"All students are members of the AS," Lowe said. "Running for a position on the board of directors is the best way to give back to the school, having the opportunity to completely change the Western experience for the better."
The 2007-2008 AS Board of Directors election will take place April 25-26. Voting will be available to all students on their MyWestern account.
According to official ballot numbers from previous polls, the average voter turnout for AS Elections in the last five years is 16.14 percent of the student body.
"To increase voter turn out and awareness there will be a polling station in Red Square during the election," Ayre-Svingen said. "There will be wireless laptops available for students to vote right then and there as they are passing by."
Another change in the election is the deadline for each candidate's financial statement. In the financial statement, each candidate records how he or she spent their campaign money, ensuring they did not go over the $150 limit.
Candidates interested in participating in the 2007-2008 AS Board of Directors election can turn a completed filing packet by 5 p.m. on April 5 to Viking Union room 504.
The candidacy filing packet includes valuable paperwork for candidates including a timeline, checklist and a candidate statement that will be published in the AS Review, The Western Front and the online ballot.
After registering for the election, each candidate must get 150 student signatures on a petition. Receiving a student's signature on a petition is confirms their support for that specific candidate.
"Filling the petition has given me the opportunity to get to know different people and really put my name out there," said Western sophomore and candidate for vice president of academic affairs, Annie Jansen.
After completing the petition, each candidate must attend a mandatory meeting at 5:30 p.m. on April 6 in Viking Union room 462. Campaigning begins the following morning at 10 a.m.
Campaigning is stressful, but the end result is worth it, said AS Vice President for activities Nate Panelo.
"A good candidate is someone who is passionate, has a sense of personality, and knows this campus well," Panelo said. "You can tell who puts their all into it, and it will reflect in a successful year if elected."
Erik Lowe, Western sophomore and candidate for Vice President of legislative affairs, said he has always been interested in politics after his work with the Western Democrats and the Legislative Affairs Council.
"All students are members of the AS," Lowe said. "Running for a position on the board of directors is the best way to give back to the school, having the opportunity to completely change the Western experience for the better."
The 2007-2008 AS Board of Directors election will take place April 25-26. Voting will be available to all students on their MyWestern account.
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