Elections code interpretation aids write-ins

The Undergraduate Student Government Elections Commission helped lessen the disadvantage write-in candidates have on election day through an interpretation of the elections code.

The commission decided to allow David Lubkemann and Eryn Kramer, write-in candidates for the elections, to distribute stickers with their names printed on them so voters can simply paste the sticker on the write-in ballot.

"We feel it gives us a fair chance and a legitimate chance to win," Lubkemann said. "We're grateful for that."

However, if supporters of the ticket wear the sticker on themselves within 50 feet of the voting area, said Head Commissioner Angelo Annese, it will count as a violation against the ticket, just as wearing a campaign button would.

Students who would like to vote for the pair will still have to request write-in ballots. The ballots cannot be placed on the ballot table because poll workers would not be able to regulate the number of ballots handed out, Annese said. Write-in votes for candidates whose names appear on the ballot do not count.

The ballot will list the eight candidates and a ninth spot for "none of the above." The commission will compare the number of "none of the above" votes with the number of write-in votes to ensure someone does not write-in more than one person, Annese said.

Voting and Tallying Commissioner Laura C. Taylor said she might instruct poll workers to offer a write-in ballot when checking in voters.

Most other candidates support the idea.

n  Wesley Bowser said if the ticket and its use of stickers will increase interest in the elections, then he supports the change.

n  Jason Covener said the write-in ticket deserves the same chance as all the other tickets.

n  Jaime Desmond said she hopes the commission will be as strict with this election code interpretation as it has been with others.

n  Thane Fake said the commission's interpretation of the code was fair, and he hopes the commission will be understanding of all campaigns using buttons on election day.

n  Darin Loccarini said it is important that students get a fair chance to vote for all the candidates.

n  Michael Landsberg said the spelling of "Lubkemann" alone warrants the use of stickers on the write-in ballot.

n  Blaine Rummel said because most people already have their minds made up when they go to vote, there is no reason the stickers should not be used.

n  Hank Saur said he applauds the novelty of the idea and supports the ticket using them on election day.