Before the student government election polls closed last night,
candidates rushed to get in some last-minute campaigning
encouraging students to get out and vote.
By the middle of the second day of elections, only 3,282
students had voted according to early turnout results. Last year
about 8,500 students voted. The results of the election will be
made public over the weekend.
“Although we are disappointed with the voter turnout so
far, our faith in this university’s students remains
unwavering,” Students First presidential candidate Jason
Mironov said.
Independent vice presidential candidate Anita Leung said a
reason behind the low voter turnout might be the lack of
competition in the race. Leung said the candidates’
campaigning strategies have also toned down — for example,
candidates used to always be on the Diag, but that has gone down
due to student complaints in previous semesters.
“We need to encourage students to vote without attacking
or harassing them,” Leung added.
The candidates used a variety of ways to convince students that
each vote was imperative to student government.
Walking through Angell Hall last night, one could still see
Students First candidates wearing their orange shirts, talking to
students and handing out flyers.
“We will continue to campaign until the polls are closed
to ensure as many students as possible have the opportunity to vote
— no matter whom they choose to vote for,” Mironov
said.
Defend Affirmative Action Party presidential candidate Kate
Stenvig said her party continued to pass out flyers, call students
and make announcements in classes until the polls closed last
night.
“We always campaign as if we don’t think we will
win,” Stenvig said.
The independent candidates, such as presidential candidate Tim
Moore, opted to run a more grass roots campaign policy.
Moore said they tried to talk to student groups and send
personalized e-mails to their acquaintances.
“Talking to student groups is effective, because it gives
students the opportunity to ask questions and receive
feedback,” Leung added.
But some candidates took a more lenient approach to campaigning
on the last day of election.
“We are done campaigning,” Other Political Party
president candidate NickChuck Heidel said. “We are going to
let nature take its course.”
Now that the election polls are closed, candidates are beginning
to anticipate the results.
Most of the candidates had a positive outlook about the future
results.
“I never take anything for granted,” Stenvig said.
“I think we have a good chance.”
“We’re excited to see the results,” Leung
said. “But in the end, it was a good experience.”