Today and tomorrow, U students can decide which candidates will move on to the next rounds of the ASUU elections.
Kicking off the primary elections with a call for increased voter participation, the student government is sponsoring an event called “OSHfest” today in the area between the Marriott Library Plaza and OSH.
OSHfest, which will begin at noon, will feature music by Jacob Kongaika, AKA Cubworld, and a debate to provide a forum for students to ask presidential and vice-presidential candidates questions about issues at the U.
“Hopefully this will help get a lot more students to hear party platforms and get informed,” said Elections Registrar Lorraine Evans.
Student Body President Jake Kirkham and Vice President Toby Collett will moderate the debate, which will begin at 12:40 p.m.
“When I was out campaigning last year, the first thing I would say to students was, ‘You give me $21.40 each semester — how do you feel about that?'” Kirkham said.
Calling student money “sacred,” Kirkham said it is essential that whoever is in position in the Associated Students of the University of Utah is spending the money wisely. The ASUU budget totals $1.4 million.
He also expressed the importance of candidates and elected officials being the “voice of the students.”
“The administration really looks to us for input on behalf of the students,” Kirkham said. “It’s important that Toby (Collett) and I are involved with the students and know what they want — and you can’t know what they want unless you ask.”
The Activate Party has emphasized increasing student voting as part of its platform. Presidential candidate Cameron Beech said, “Last year only 3,588 students voted (in ASUU elections). That means 25,061 students did not.”
Students can vote online at either www.ustudents.com or the Campus Information System, or by paper ballot in ASUU’s office, Union Room 234. All students can vote for student body president and vice president, and students with at least 75 credits can vote for senior class president.
Students vote for ASUU Senate and General Assembly members running in their declared college. Undeclared students can vote for candidates in University College.
Voting opened this morning at 7 a.m. and will close tomorrow night at 10 p.m. Results will be announced on Friday at 10 a.m. on the Union Patio.
Josh Lee
Josh Lee
Josh Lee
Josh Lee