Even before the undergraduate student government’s
election candidates have been officially announced, election
campaigning is already under way.
The United Independents slate, the newest coalition of
candidates to join the Undergraduate Students Associated
Council’s election race, was the first to begin soliciting
support. U.I. put up five sign boards on campus Monday.
Candidates cannot officially begin campaigning until fifth week,
according to the election calender, but campaigning is defined as
an action by a candidate to persuade students to vote for or
against a candidate.
If signs do not mention candidates, it is not considered
campaigning, said Elections Board Chair Joseph Vardner. The U.I.
signs do not mention any candidates.
Though elections do not take place until sixth week, some U.I.
candidates wanted to get the word out as soon as possible.
“We need to educate students to have name
recognition,” said Financial Supports Commissioner Andrew
LaFlamme, who said he plans to run as the U.I. presidential
candidate. The Elections Board plans to announce candidates
Wednesday.
But candidates running under the other two slates said they did
not plan on doing any campaigning of any sort before the designated
time.
U.I.’s campaigning method falls in the “gray
area,” said General Representative Adam Harmetz. Harmetz
plans to run as the presidential candidate under the Students
United for Reform and Equality slate.
Still, Harmetz said U.I.’s actions are understandable
since the slate has little recognition on campus.
Members of the Student Empowerment! slate said they are not
prioritizing elections yet.
“We are still working on getting stuff done. …
It’s up to (other slates) if they want to campaign
early,” said Academic Affairs Commissioner Chris Diaz.