2008 Woodie Awards
Non-fee-paying students allowed to vote in run-off election
Students call for a recount
Bob Devine
Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: Opinion
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Here is why the recent runoff election needs to have a recount. The election was decided by only 28 votes. It has come to light that non-ASISU students were allowed to vote in the election. Since the election has not been certified and approved by the Senate at this time, they have the ability to ask for a recount that removes the votes cast by those who did not pay the ASISU Activities Fee. If it is determined that this can't happen, the election should be annulled and a re-vote should occur. The Senate has been aware of this issue, but to date, has not asked for a recount.
President Ryan Sargent stated at last week's ASISU senate meeting that ballot verification shouldn't be allowed to happen, because it was supposed to be a secret ballot. In saying this, he overlooks or ignores the current Bylaws, which state that the Elections Board Chair, the ASISU President and one Senator (who wasn't running for election during the current cycle, according to the bylaws) have the right to verify the ballots and thus conduct a recount. It's actually their responsibility, if they take their job seriously.
A recount should be rather simple. Since Bengal ID numbers are associated with each vote, one could take the Bengal ID numbers without even seeing whom they voted for and run them into the university registrar's system to verify if they paid their ASISU Activities Fee. Once all the Bengal ID's have been run, then those who did pay their fees can be matched to the original list, removing those who were allowed to vote that didn't pay their fee. There are probably other programs that computer services could set up to achieve the same thing, but the fact remains that a recount is possible and should be done, because the vote was so close. If it's determined that this is not possible, then the election should be annulled and a re-vote should be held as quickly as possible.
The ASISU Supreme Court could also demand a recount, although since all of the court members except one was seen campaigning for Brown and Wheat and wearing Brown/Wheat buttons, the Court has put itself in the unfortunate position of pretty much disqualifying itself from hearing the case. According to Bylaws, the Supreme Court must not show bias on any issue that might come before the court, and all who have involvement must recuse themselves from the case. This is why it is imperative for the Student Senate to act quickly and energetically to order a recount, or a new runoff election if this is deemed not to be possible.
Respect is owed to all four of the candidates. No one wants to lose by such a close margin and find out that the vote was done improperly, and I'm quite sure that no one wants to win with the vote being handled improperly either. Hopefully this issue will not be ignored, as time is of the essence.
President Ryan Sargent stated at last week's ASISU senate meeting that ballot verification shouldn't be allowed to happen, because it was supposed to be a secret ballot. In saying this, he overlooks or ignores the current Bylaws, which state that the Elections Board Chair, the ASISU President and one Senator (who wasn't running for election during the current cycle, according to the bylaws) have the right to verify the ballots and thus conduct a recount. It's actually their responsibility, if they take their job seriously.
A recount should be rather simple. Since Bengal ID numbers are associated with each vote, one could take the Bengal ID numbers without even seeing whom they voted for and run them into the university registrar's system to verify if they paid their ASISU Activities Fee. Once all the Bengal ID's have been run, then those who did pay their fees can be matched to the original list, removing those who were allowed to vote that didn't pay their fee. There are probably other programs that computer services could set up to achieve the same thing, but the fact remains that a recount is possible and should be done, because the vote was so close. If it's determined that this is not possible, then the election should be annulled and a re-vote should be held as quickly as possible.
The ASISU Supreme Court could also demand a recount, although since all of the court members except one was seen campaigning for Brown and Wheat and wearing Brown/Wheat buttons, the Court has put itself in the unfortunate position of pretty much disqualifying itself from hearing the case. According to Bylaws, the Supreme Court must not show bias on any issue that might come before the court, and all who have involvement must recuse themselves from the case. This is why it is imperative for the Student Senate to act quickly and energetically to order a recount, or a new runoff election if this is deemed not to be possible.
Respect is owed to all four of the candidates. No one wants to lose by such a close margin and find out that the vote was done improperly, and I'm quite sure that no one wants to win with the vote being handled improperly either. Hopefully this issue will not be ignored, as time is of the essence.
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