Last week in an elections meeting, a student said it was a waste of money to spend $11,500-the cap for student government campaign spending-on school elections, when that money could be used for so much good elsewhere.
“I agreed with him,” said People Incorporated Party’s Presidential Candidate Taylor Morgan. “But you can’t be competitive without it.”
Last year, student government political parties spent $33,213.48 running for 65 positions in the Associated Students of the University of Utah-an average of $510.98 per position.
The Grassroots Party dominated the elections, winning about 70 percent of the Assembly and Senate positions. The party also led in donations received and money spent. Most of the money was spent on booths, posters, T-shirts and banners.
The Grassroots Party began collecting donations in November, five months before the elections took place. “We made a lot of uncomfortable phone calls,” said ASUU President Alex Lowe. “Sometimes all it takes is asking.”
Both the People Incorporated Party and the Student First Party have the goal this year to raise $11,500 in hopes of increasing their chances of winning.
“We’re still in the process of collecting donations. I would like to get as close as possible to the $11,500 to give us a better chance to reach all 29,933 students on campus,” said Ali Hasnain, presidential candidate for this year’s Student First party.
Morgan is raising most of the money from family, friends, former employers and people in the community. “When we tell people in order to be competitive, we have to raise $11,500, they are shocked,” Morgan said. The maximum one person can donate is $250.
According to Lowe, winning a campaign doesn’t come down to who spends the most money.
“It takes more than money. It takes organization, enthusiasm and excitement,” Lowe said. “It’s the manpower. You have to be out there talking to people, letting them know who you are.”
Lowe expressed the importance of believing in the cause of the party.
“Our posters were no better than anyone else’s. They cost the same. You can have all the money, but you got to believe in the party and believe in the cause,” Lowe said.
Active campaigning will begin on Feb. 19. Primary elections will take place March 3 and 4.
Show me the money
Campaign Parties Money SpentGrassroots $10,100.80Next $8,320.70United $7,591.25RE: $7,200.73Total $33,213.48
Campaign Parties DonationsGrassroots $10,002.00United $6,485.00Next Party $3,958.79RE: $1,664.60Total $22,110.39
Campaign Parties % of Positions WonGrassroots 70RE: 17Next 6United 4Independent 3Space Monkey Mafia 0
