Campaign season is just around the corner, but not the national kind. The Associated Student Government (ASG) will be undergoing its yearly election to elect the next president and vice presidents for the 2017-18 school year.
For people planning on running, ASG Vice President Jake Carmin has some words of advice prior to filling out the intent forms.
“If you are thinking about running, get into the senate first,” Carmin said. “I think that is the best way to see how the system works. In the past, we have had people run for president right away and it doesn’t work out very well for them.”
If someone is planning on running for a position, there are a few requirements that must be fulfilled first. All positions require a student to have a cumulative 2.0 GPA, be in good standing with the registrar’s office, be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester, and for president, vice president and trustee, be of at least full-time junior status.
If the possible candidates fulfill these requirements, then they can fill out the intent form on Orgsync under the ASG forms tab. This form must be completed if they intend to run for either position, and candidacy cannot be announced until after the intent forms close on March 15.
Once the intent form closes, then campaigning begins. But there are a few rules that candidates must follow during the three week campaigning period.
“The biggest rule once you have signed the documents is that you have to record your spending,” Carmin said. “Because you have spending limits on campaign advertisements, so you have to keep all your itemized receipts.”
Other rules will be announced at the mandatory candidate meeting on March 15. Much like national campaigns, campaigning can become competitive, but Carmin has some other words of caution to anyone who plans on running.
“I also advise to run a clean campaign because nine times out of ten, the people running against you are going to end up being a part of your student government,” Carmin said.
President and vice president are not the only positions up for election. All the senate positions will also need to be filled by students in the corresponding majors or with relevant experience. For a complete list of those positions, visit the intent form on Orgsync, on the Associated Student Government page.
Online elections will open April 12 and will close at 5 p.m. on April 14.
