The spring season of University student elections starts today -- in order to inform prospective student voters, the first candidate information session of the election period will be held tonight in Newcomb Hall.
Created in the spring of 2003, the University Board of Elections oversees all student elections.
While student elections have been online since 1997, there are several new features in this year's system.
Candidates now can register, create profiles, and track their expenditures on the UBE website, www.uvavote.com. Collected signatures still have to be submitted manually.
The UBE has worked to online paperwork and make the voting Web site more user-friendly, according to UBE Chair Steve Yang.
The UBE also is testing a new system of campaign grants. Candidates for Student Council president and College representatives to the Honor Committee will be able to apply for campaign grants up to $100.
"The campaign grant system is designed to encourage students to run for office regardless of their economic situation," Yang said.
Voting will take place between February 25 and March 2. The deadline for students to get on the ballot is the night before voting starts, but candidates are encouraged to participate in the entire campaign process, including debates.
In fall 2004, only 10 percent of the student population voted. In spring 2004, 24 percent voted. The trend of uneven voting was due to the fact that spring elections affect more positions and get more publicity, UBE Technology Coordinator Chris Husser said.
Student apathy remains a pressing issue in student elections.
"When it comes to elections, a lot of students don't participate because they don't think it affects them," Husser said.
However, Husser and Yang expressed optimism for the future of student elections and the online voting system.
The UBE currently conducts elections for Student Council, the University Judiciary and Honor Committees, as well as other governing bodies at the University.
"We're working on getting other school councils on board," Yang said.
UBE member Ian McGlynn said in an e-mail that the upcoming election is of particular importance for the future of the University.
"This is a critical time with many important issues," he said. "The very shape of the University can be strongly influenced by the next generation of student leaders."
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