Election day

Students to choose USG, other government officers

Countdown: Zero days.

Voting for the Undergraduate Student Government, the Association of Residence Hall Students and the University Park Allocation Committee takes place today from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 12 sites on and off campus.

"Basically, you vote right where your mailboxes are if you live on campus," said James Salva, voting and tallying elections commissioner.

Undergraduate students who live in State College can vote at: Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, 328 E. Fairmount Ave.; the HUB; the Student Book Store, 330 E. College Ave.; or at University Gates. Student fraternity members can vote at Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity or the HUB.

Students choosing to vote for write-in candidates must fill in the "other" option on the Scantron sheet, and they will be given a form on which to write the candidates' names, Salva said.

Voter turnout may not be as large as some members of USG expect from such a large University, but the turnout will be enough for the results to be accurate, said Scott Nycum, debate and publicity elections commissioner.

"We're hoping to have a increase (in voter turnout) from last year," Nycum said.

He said voter turnout could increase because of the recent warm weather and the heavy campaigning of the tickets running for USG president and vice president. Six tickets are registered on the ballot, and all made efforts to promote their campaigns, Nycum said.

However, when recruiting students to work the polls today, Salva said he found many students unaware of the elections.

"You never know, honestly -- there is not any way you can tap a pulse and see if students will care," Salva said.

"I don't think it really makes a difference who I vote for. I don't think they can do anything anyway," Luebbers said.

However, others are willing to give USG a chance to represent them and said they would vote in today's election.

"I usually don't come to vote. I figured I'm junior, I might as well -- to see if anyone can make a difference, " said Mike Quackenbush (junior-premedicine).

Tracy Greca, head elections commissioner, said she is pleased with the performance of all the candidates.

"I think they all ran pretty much a good campaign, and I respect the camaraderie they've given each other," Greca said. "I think it will be close."

Collegian Staff Writer Daryl Lang contributed to this article.