Following complaints made in spring regarding the appearance of slate affiliation on A.S. election ballots, the A.S. Council passed legislation Nov. 14 that would include candidate statements on the ballot instead of slate membership.
A.S. Commissioner of Services and Enterprises Colin Parent, one of three submitters of the bill, said the purpose of the legislation is “”to make sure that the elections process would be fair and equitable to both candidates and the electorate.””
Ballots in former years displayed slate membership under candidate names. Under the new legislation this will no longer occur. However, candidates who wish to include their slates in the candidate statement may do so.
“”[The new elections process] changes from a system which gave an institutional advantage to slates,”” said David Goodwin, chair of the Student Council of Eleanor Roosevelt College and an original sponsor of the bill. “”The new way levels the playing field.””
Statements of candidacy, previously used only on the sample ballot, will appear next to candidates’ names on the official ballot. Candidates for president and vice president positions will be allowed 150-word statements, candidates for commissioner positions will be allowed 100 words, and candidates for senator positions will be allowed 50 words.
Students have displayed mixed feelings about the change. Some said they think it will help them vote more responsibly.
“”I’d read it if I didn’t know the candidate,”” said Revelle junior Emily Abrams.
Others consider it a waste of space.
“”I don’t even read my O-chem book — why would I read that?”” said Eli Pakravan, a Revelle sophomore.
The change follows concerns raised after last year’s elections regarding the listing of candidates’ slates on the ballot.
Independent candidate Matt Bechtel complained to the A.S. Judicial Board last year that then-Elections Manager Vince Vasquez mishandled the matter.
“”The recent revision to the bylaws clearly validate my claims of bias made during the last A.S. election,”” Bechtel said in a statement. “”Although there is no way to reverse the unfair and biased decisions [Vasquez] made toward me, this amendment will help limit the power of future self-centered and power-hungry election managers. I am in full support of the new amendment and I look forward to seeing the results during the next A.S. election.””
A.S. Senate Chair Nick Lieberknecht, a Muir junior and the third sponsor of the bill, said debate last year centered around free speech. Goodwin said he thinks the new election bylaws will repair this rift.
“”Everyone has an opportunity to say something and get information out to the voters,”” Goodwin said.
Parent said he thinks this is a more fair way of conducting elections.
“”The burden of information is no longer on a rave card, but on the quality of a candidate’s background,”” he said.
According to Goodwin, the legislation was submitted recently because candidates are “”not in the heat of election shenanigans.””
Some students have said the change is positive, because they say it forces voters to learn about the candidates rather than just voting for slate names they recognize.
“”A lot of times when people see the slate names they vote on the slate and not the person,”” said Muir senior Catherine Medrano. “”This way, if they include the statement, [voters] will be forced to look at each individual runner. It makes more sense to have it that way.””