Third time’s a charm, hopefully
Jamie Ross – The AquinianOrganizers of the St. Thomas Students’ Union general elections will hopefully get it right this time, after two previous elections at the school were clouded by ballot irregularities that in one case led to a re-vote.
In the last spring general elections, a presidential candidate’s name was partially cut from the bottom of some ballots, prompting in an appeal that eventually turned into a re-vote.
And earlier this year, in the fall by-elections elections of 2009, ballots appeared on all-white paper, contrary to union by-laws that state “ballots shall be printed on a different colour paper according to position.”
Spring general elections are happening this week, on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sean Thompson was recently hired as Chief Returning Officer and will oversee the elections.
He replaced Michael Thorne, who resigned from the post because of complaints stemming from the fall elections.
Voter turnout was low in the fall elections, when only 297 students cast a balloted.
Candidates are vying for the job of president, vice president administration and off-campus representatives on student council.
Other contested positions are for Grad Class president (next year) and this year’s Valedictorian,
Candidates for vice president student services, vice president student life, board of governors student representative, and Aquinian board member at large, are running unopposed.
Candidates have embraced social media for the elections, as all but two have Facebook groups devoted to their respective campaigns. Twitter feeds and blogs are also being used as a way for candidates to get their messages out.
Ballots can be cast at one of the following locations during the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Presidential campaign speeches.
Polling stations
Brian Mulroney Hall
Polling station for Education, Social Work and part-time students
James Dunn Hall
Polling station for off-campus full-time undergraduate students
George Martin Hall
Polling station for full-time Vanier Hall, Harrington Hall and Holy Cross House residents
Rigby Hall
Polling station for full-time Rigby Hall and Chatham Hall residents
