If students thought they had seen the last of spray painted snow and campaign fliers, they were wrong. The elections committee announced last night that there will be a run-off for Student Council President for the second year in a row.
Third-year Engineering student Ed Hallen and second-year College student Daisy Lundy will compete for Council's most coveted position.
Lundy received 2006 votes to Hallen's 1830, but according to Council bylaws, a candidate must win by 5 percent of the total vote. Lundy actually received 2047 votes but due to campaign violations she was docked 41 votes -- 2 percent of her total.
Even without the violation, however, Elections Chair Julie Teater said Lundy would still lack the .4 percent needed for the 5 percent winning margin.
Teater would not disclose the specifics of the violations, but did say that they violated the housing solicitation rules of both the undergraduate record and the official election rules.
Lundy said she was excited about the runoff despite the violations.
"If you have four groups endorsing you that feel passionately about you and your campaign, it is difficult to be responsible for everything that they do," Lundy said.
Both presidential candidates look forward to a competitive run-off.
"I'm truly looking forward to the run-off because it gives a students a chance to look deeper into the issues and to look at the candidates and their experience to an even greater degree," Hallen said.
Lundy added that she was "honored that more than 2000 students took the time to vote for me."
On-line voting for the run-off will begin Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. and end Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
Outgoing Council President Micah Schwartz said he was pleased to see a run-off.
"I think run-offs are healthy for Student Council," Schwartz said. "They force the candidates to reconsider their position and the reasons for their candidacy."
Students also elected Rabeen Pasha the next Council executive vice president.
"I look forward to working with the representative body next year and making sure that Student Council continues working at its best for student interest," Pasha said.
Will Sowers, who ran unopposed, will serve as the 2002-2003 Council vice president for administration. He will oversee the Escort Service, as well as fundraising and the daily operations of Council.
Eli DeJarnette was elected in another uncontested race to be the next Council vice president for organizations. In this role he will oversee the appropriations process for University CIOs.
Schwartz added he was slightly disappointed with voter turnout.
Voter turnout decreased from 35.53 percent last year to 27.49 percent this year.
Low turn-out numbers were registered in graduate and professional schools, which brought down the overall percentage. Schwartz and Teater attributed the decrease to the inclement weather, which hurt campaigning.
Students also elected three class presidents last night.
Justin Ferira narrowly defeated Howard Yuan by 21 votes in order to become the next fourth-year class president.
"I'm glad that enough people came out and voted, but its more important to get students involved in class giving and social and educational programming," Ferira said.
Alicia Corbin will be the fourth-year class vice president.
Second years elected Nate Smith as their third-year class president and Kat Shea as third-year class vice president.
Bill Keithler will serve as second-year class president, and Caroline Young won the office of second-year vice president by 8 votes.
Runoffs only are required for Council Executive positions or exact ties in class council offices.
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