by Heather R. Gabel
ASUNM Vice President
The semester is half over and I hope that everyone has been enjoying the semester to this point.
The Associated Students of UNM president and I have been trying to keep you up to date with what ASUNM is all about and what we are currently working on. Well, we have reached the point in the fall semester where every student has the chance to become a voting member of the ASUNM Senate. That's right: it is election time!
I know you're thinking, "Oh, great! A bunch of people I have never met before sticking candy and flyers in my face and telling me that I should vote for them." Well, that may be the strategy some people use on Election Day, but there are many other pieces that go into being elected as an ASUNM senator and this could be your chance to make your mark on the UNM campus.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The ASUNM Elections Commission has been hard at work making packets, planning dates and getting ready to patrol the upcoming elections. The candidate packets are available in the ASUNM Office in the Student Services Center, Room 262. If you are interested in running for an ASUNM Senate position you need to come pick up a packet, fill it out completely and return it to the ASUNM Office no later than Monday, Oct. 28, and be sure that you get a receipt.
After the Activities Center has verified you're eligible to run in accordance with Article I, Section 1, G of the ASUNM Constitution, you will need to attend the mandatory candidates meeting where the Elections Commission will tell you about all the rules and regulations. This is also the meeting where they draw the ballot numbers so you know where your name will fall on the ballot.
If you decide you would like to run after the due date of Monday, Oct. 28, you can turn in a write-in candidacy declaration form along with the other necessary forms in the candidate packet until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. If you turn in these forms and the Activities office verifies your eligibility you will be able to run for office, but your name will not be on the ballot.
Voters will need to write in your name by hand on the ballots. This is a lot more work so I would definitely encourage you to turn in the candidate packet by Monday, Oct. 28, so your name will be on the ballot. If you decide to withdraw your name from the ballot you must return the withdrawal of candidacy form to the ASUNM Office by Friday, Nov. 1.
Sometime during the campaign you will be contacted by the Daily Lobo and interviewed about UNM facts and what you would like to do if you are elected an ASUNM senator. Don't be nervous about the interview! Just be honest and let the student body know why you want to represent them as one of their ASUNM senators.
The ASUNM Elections Commission also hosts the endorsement forum where you will get the opportunity to give a speech and answer questions from members of the student body. Chartered student organizations are encouraged to attend the endorsement forum so they can ask candidates questions and if they choose they may endorse a certain number of candidates in the Daily Lobo.
This is a great opportunity for chartered student organizations to let their voices be heard about what candidates they feel would best serve their interests as an ASUNM Senator. This fall, the endorsement forum is going to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 6. If you are a member of a chartered student organization I encourage you to attend the endorsement forum and listen to what the candidates would like to accomplish if they are elected into office.
As members of the student body, we need to take the time to research the senatorial candidates so that we can elect senators that are representative of the entire student body and are motivated to get things accomplished. I hope that some of you have been enjoying learning about ASUNM and will take this great opportunity to help your fellow students by running for ASUNM.