Fall elections came and went without much notice. 

Fall elections were Thursday, Sept. 11.  Most students were not aware of elections until the day before when an email was sent to the entire student body with instructions on how to vote.   

Spring elections are pretty popular amongst the student body because they are generally expected. 

Fall elections are for positions to be filled within SGA and SUAB that were not previously filled during the spring. They are also for the incoming freshmen class to be able vote for their class executive board. 

During this election alongside freshmen candidates were SGA elections committee, SGA judicial Council, senior and junior class treasurer, and sophomore secretary. 

Many vacancies are still open in the judicial council, elections committee, and senate.  Students are still able to apply for these positions.   

Since the spring, SUAB elections have been electronic and combined with SGA.                                                                                      

Denise Iverson-Payne, assistant vice chancellor for student development, expressed how the elections committee was asked to add SUAB candidates on the ballot.  The entire population is now able to vote conveniently for SUAB until further notice. 

This addition made a huge difference with elections last spring 2,021 students voted.      

This fall, only 8,927 students were eligible to vote. Eligibility is based off of student status.

About 1,600 students voted. It is hard to gauge because students have the option to not vote for an office that is on every ballot. 

Voting is available online and this year, despite the union under construction, was held in Murphy Hall so it is easily accessible. 

Some upperclassmen think it’s unfair that they aren’t made aware of elections until the day before. Most upperclassmen don’t follow freshmen on social media to notice their flyers.      

The SGA constitution was changed in the spring semester of 2014 by the Turner Administration to make elections a little faster.

Former Vice President of Internal Affairs, Isiah Guinyard, said, “I thought the changes were necessary so that candidates can find out who won as soon as possible. It also allows the boards to fully operate when all the positions are filled as soon as possible.” 

According the 2013-2014 SGA Constitution, Article 5 Section 4, “ Elections- SGA officers listed in Section 1 shall be elected annually by a majority vote (50% + 1) using secret ballots. 

The new rule is based on popular vote. Article 5 Section 5 states that any SGA office requires a popular vote. The only way a run-off is conducted is when the top candidates are 50 votes or less between each other. 

The freshman class is the test dummy for this new law. 

Iverson-Payne had no comment about this new law; she implied that it’s what the students wanted. When and if it becomes a problem that is when she will have to step in.

Run-off elections will be held on Sept. 18. 

• Taylor Young Managing Editor