The undergraduate student government’s election season
officially kicked off Tuesday night when all candidates convened
for the first time at an orientation meeting to become better
acquainted with election procedures.
Candidates running under the three established slates as well as
independent candidates filled the small Ackerman conference room at
the Undergraduate Students Association Council’s candidate
orientation meeting.
Coordinated by the Elections Board, the meeting marked the first
time a majority of the candidates for the spring 2003 elections
came together.
Candidates ranged from current councilmembers to those without
extensive USAC experience.
A few candidates, familiar with the elections process after
having sat on the council table this year, compared this
year’s meeting to last year.
The procedures were a little different than last year, but it
set a good atmosphere, said Andrew LaFlamme, the presidential
candidate for the United Independents slate. LaFlamme is also the
current Financial Supports Commissioner.
There was a friendly atmosphere during the meeting, LaFlamme
said. He added that the elections got off to a good start.
“It seems like candidates are focusing on the issues and
the candidates’ qualifications rather than the
politics,” LaFlamme said.
Other candidates agreed they had a positive outlook for the next
few weeks.
Adam Harmetz, presidential candidate for the Students United for
Reform and Equality slate, said he expects to have a clean
campaign. Harmetz is currently a general representative on
council.
Candidates running under specific slates added that they were
confident in their chances of winning. Slates are coalitions of
students with similar ideologies that form partly to increase
students’ chances of winning seats in office.
“We have extremely qualified candidates,” Harmetz
said.
Though he said it would be a tough campaign, Harmetz still said
he is expecting to win.
Members of the other two slates shared the same confidence.
Candidates running under the Students First! slate said their
slate had more chances of winning because they were the most
established slate.
“There are definitely quite a lot of people who are
interested, but (First!) is distinguished by its past victories and
unmatched experience,” said First! presidential candidate
Anica McKesey.
But even the members of the newest slate in the race said they
are prepared for the competition.
“We have been preparing for a while … we are very
excited about the slate and the candidates,” said LaFlamme
about United Independents.
Some candidates simply hope for a fair election.
“I hope that we can have a fair election … and that
candidates will work hard for UCLA,” said U.I. candidate
Christina Paganini.
SPECIALFEATURES EXTENDED
COVERAGE: USAC Elections >>