Students were bombarded with information and posts about the Student Government Association presidential election during Spring Break and when we returned to campus. Students posted in Facebook groups, messaged each other and texted friends telling them who to vote for.
I wasn’t sure how to feel about this at first, but it has refreshed me. The 2016 presidential election for the White House was exhausting. Everyone was afraid to even admit who they were voting for because both candidates were so disliked. Well, everyone but me, who had a bumper sticker on my car that read: “a woman’s place is in the White House.”
The SGA presidential election refreshed me because people care. They care enough about their school and about their government to campaign for candidates and vote. It was refreshing to see the passion of the candidates, as I was fortunate enough to attend a forum-a watered-down version of a debate. All three candidates brought up great issues and argued with poise and professionalism.
This election wasn’t necessarily a nasty one, but tensions are still high with President Randy Gipson-Black’s administration after a movie ticket scandal, in which ticket vouchers disappeared, forcing officials to cancel the remaining Free Movie Nights. The scandal was brought up at the presidential forum, to which Gipson-Black said he was unable to comment because of an ongoing investigation. Is it the president’s fault? Not directly, obviously, but it happened under his administration.
I find myself exhausted again. The election didn’t end when it was supposed to. Last weekend, students were back to campaigning for their preferred candidate after the runoff election that happened yesterday was announced.
The runoff election was a result of unclear guidelines in the SGA constitution. Not to mention, the election didn’t happen on the correct date. As stated in SGA’s constitution, the election for president is supposed to take place the second week after students return from Spring Break.
As a result of this incorrect election date, it seemed to me that things were unorganized. Candidates and their supporters didn’t have time to properly campaign. At the forum I attended, the candidates didn’t even take the opportunity to ask each other questions. While they were all passionate about their messages, it seemed as though they just wanted to softball each other.
Regardless of who won the runoff yesterday, it’s apparent that changes need to be made. The SGA constitution needs to be amended or revised for more transparency and specificity. SGA officials need to be aware of and follow the guidelines in their own constitution. More transparency is needed from the governing body that represents the students.
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