Candidates gear up for spring elections

The Student Government Association Elections Committee met Thursday with the 2009-10 candidates for spring elections.
The meeting was held in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.
After a quick introduction by Twyana Cain, interim director of student programs, Kristal Walls, SGA elections commissioner, reviewed the Election Code with the students.
“First and foremost, we want everyone to remember that elections are supposed to be fun. This is a time for them to basically get to know the student body, and show them their leadership skills.”
Walls, a senior political science major from Monroe, then cleared up questions students had about campaigning.
According to Article II, Section 8 of the Election Code, candidates cannot distribute, post, announce or hold a public forum before the official election day—April 6 at 12:01 a.m.
“Of course, they can assemble a campaign team, order cam-paign materials and things of that nature,” replied Walls after questions arose about candidates soliciting members for their campaign teams.
Walls also stated she would be validating election posters this Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the lobby of Washington Hall.
Candidates were also informed that they were not allowed to put paper flyers on cars, have signs or banners in trees or buildings and if they wanted to hang bed sheet banners from buildings, they would have to get permission from whomever is in charge of the building.
“There will be no campaigning within 100 feet of the Union on election day,” said Cain. “Since Sunday is Easter and the Union will be closed, please remove all election materials from and around the Union (on) Saturday.”
Elections will take place in the Cotillion Ballroom on April 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Students are asked to bring a valid form of identification.
Next Tuesday, SGA will host election debates, where everyone from students to faculty members are invited and encouraged to attend and ask questions. The event will be held in the Cotillion Ballroom at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday night, the Miss Southern Pageant will take place in the F. G. Clark Activity Center at 7:30 p.m.
Jonas Vanderbilt, assistant program adviser, said everyone should expect the same level of “spectacular-ness” and excellence as previous pageants, only this year “With a surprise,” he said.
The Southern DIGEST will podcast both the debate and run-off in addition to adding videos to their Web site. Senior writers will also blog—an online form of journaling—election results and election experiences.