by Heather R. Gabel
ASUNM Vice President
Timothy R. Reed
ASUNM Presidential Aide
The semester is almost half over and we hope that everyone has been enjoying it to this point.
The ASUNM president and we 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 spring semester where every student has the chance to become a voting member of the ASUNM Senate. That’s right, it is election time! We know you’re thinking: oh, great, a bunch of people I have never met before sticking candy and fliers in my face and telling me that I should vote for them.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Well, that may be the strategy that some people use on Election Day, but there are many other pieces that go into being elected as the president, vice president or a senator of ASUNM and this could be your chance to make your mark on the UNM campus.
The ASUNM Election Commission has been hard at work making packets, planning dates and getting ready to patrol the upcoming elections. The candidates packets will be available on Thursday, March 6, in the ASUNM Office in the Student Services Center, Room 262.
If you are interested in running for the ASUNM presidency, vice presidency or a senate position, you need to pick up a packet, fill it out completely and return it to the ASUNM Office no later than Monday, March 31, and be sure that you get a receipt. After the Activities Center has verified that you are 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, March 31, 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, April 3. 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 need to hand write in your name on the ballots. This is a lot more work so we would definitely encourage you to turn in the candidates packet by Monday, March 31, so that 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, April 4.
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 as the ASUNM president, vice president or as a senator. Don’t be nervous about the interview! Just be honest and let the students know why you want to represent them.
The ASUNM Election Commission also sponsors 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 the ASUNM president, vice president or as a senator.
This spring, the endorsement forum is going to be held on Thursday, April 10. If you are a member of a chartered student organization, we 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 all the candidates so that we can elect a president, vice president and 10 senators that are representative of the entire student body and that are motivated to get things accomplish. We 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.
Even if you don’t want to run for office, please take the opportunity this semester to let your voice be heard by looking into the goals of the candidates and voting on Wednesday, April 16 for the candidates you feel can best represent your needs. Your individual vote does count and as a group we can make a big impact on the University of New Mexico today and for years to come.
If you would like to see the ASUNM Senate in action please join us at our Full Senate Meeting this Wednesday, March 5, at 6 p.m. in the Kiva Lecture Hall. Hope to see you there.
