Following the ASUNM Fall Elections on Nov. 16, the 10 candidates who ran on the Make Your Mark slate were fined, and two from the slate were also disbarred from office following findings of financi al misconduct.
ASUNM also recorded the highest voter turnout in ASUNM history, and both slates ran with 10 candidates, an unusual occurrence in the less-contested fall elections.
In an interview with the Daily Lobo, Claire Mize, the ASUNM Elections Commission director, analyzed the election results and said she predicts another record-breaking turnout for the spring 2012 elections, but said she hopes the next election won’t involve any misconduct.
Daily Lobo: Why did we see candidates in this election misreport their campaign spending? Do you think there is a temptation to cheat the system to get ahead in a competitive election?
Claire Mize: I think that people are definitely starting to get more serious. I hope that this is a one-time thing and that people are not dishonest, because that is a reflection of our student body and we don’t want leaders like that.
DL: Will we see this again in future elections?
CM: I don’t think so. The reason we are being so strict is to show people that they can’t get away with it. We will catch it, and so it’s not worth it. People have overspent in the past, and if you are honest about it, you just pay the fine, usually $5-10.
I think people need to realize that there is more behind this than I can say in an interview, and if you want to know more you can see why they are … getting these repercussions. I believe the (measures taken to reprimand candidates) are reasonable and they are based on the election code … These are all public documents.
Anyone who wants to know more can come to the ASUNM office.
DL: The issue is still up for appeal, and the Make Your Mark Candidates who were fined and cited said they plan on appealing. What can you tell us about that process?
CM: They are dealing directly with Student Court. … The (five) justices on the Student Court will make that decision.
DL: 1,433 students voted in the recent election, more than ever before, and the turnout has been increasing for several years. Why do you think that is?
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CM: It’s a lot of campaigning. Campaigning has gotten absolutely crazy … with chalking and fliers. Candidates are putting in more time. They were ready more than a month before the election, they are … organizing earlier.
I think people are realizing that ASUNM is important and that they want the right people in those spots. Ten candidates ran on each slate, and it’s unusual for a fall election, it’s hard for them to get two full slates together … except in spring elections.
It’s not just the candidates (who advertise the election). ASUNM as a whole has tried to get people to vote by hosting events where they give away hot cocoa and say “go vote tomorrow,” so they try to be pretty involved in that.
There is also a requirement in the constitution that we advertise with the Daily Lobo and we ran ads, including a full-page ad on election day to get students to vote. (ASUNM spent $2280 on advertising with the Daily Lobo)
DL: Why do so many people and organizations at ASUNM, not just the candidates, advertise the election?
CM: We do it because it’s important for people to be involved and for us to reach out to students on campus, and no matter how hard we try we are never going to reach everyone on campus.
DL: How many students do you predict will vote in the spring elections?
CM: Typically the spring elections have a higher turnout because they are presidential and vice-presidential elections. The president can spend more money campaigning as well. I think over 1,800 students will vote. Let’s say 1,802, and we can hope to make that mark.
DL: Why is the dollar amount for campaign spending set at $200 per candidate or slate?
CM: It’s supposed to make it fairer for everyone to run, and also make it so it’s not like people go across campus in a hot air balloon saying, “Vote for so-and-so.” Some people obviously have way more money through their parents or other means, and we put donation (limits) in there, because a candidate might know somebody at Kinko’s and be able to get a ton of copies for free, whereas the other people would have to pay hundreds of dollars for that.
DL: Has ASUNM decided what to do about the four students who voted multiple times in the recent election? (Four students exploited a glitch in the elections system and voted multiple times; IT closed the loophole and the elections commission counted only their first votes)
CM: We haven’t decided anything about that at this point. Since we just took their first vote, I don’t think we are going to do anything about it. I definitely think sending a message to students that voting multiple times is inappropriate is important, and it becomes a matter of confidentiality.
We can’t tell everyone ‘these are the people who voted multiple times’ because it is not in our jurisdiction. I can’t say anything more, because I am not sure whose responsibility that would be.
DL: Does the slate that each candidate ran on matter after the election?
CM: I don’t think they do. Of course they come in with different ideas, but I think they realize they have to work to get what they want, and that everybody involved in ASUNM has to work together.
