By: Gigi Kraemer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — The Associated Student Government opened online polls for the general election this morning.
The ballot includes candidates for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, as well as several referendums.
In addition to the polls being open, hard campaigning began for executive and Senate positions.
Two tickets are running against each other for executive positions.
All In Arkansas is running on the platform “Advocate, collaborate, innovate.”
Elevate Arkansas is running on the platform “Belonging, safety, visibility.”
Both campaigns expressed their views on how they want to support the student body.
All In’s presidential candidate, Logan Williams, said “It all starts with building genuine relationships with students and having face time, and I want them to feel like we have their backs in a lot of ways.”
Elevate’s presidential candidate, Chas Batta, said “My favorite pillar of ours is belonging, I think this one is so important to me because I feel so strongly about creating community everywhere you go.”
The referendums on the ballot include several updates to Senate procedures.
Another referendum will gather students’ opinions on potential actions by the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees is seeking $6 million for the athletic department. Potential fundraising options include raising tuition, a mandatory athletic fee or reallocating money from other departments.
The outcome of this vote will not determine whether the money is collected, but it will serve as information ASG will use to communicate with the Board of Trustees during the decision-making process.
Members of the ASG Election Promotions Committee, or EPC, also tabled today to educate students about the election process.
EPC member Presley Russell said “Not only are students able to vote on a new executive ticket at this time, they’re also able to vote on referendums for senate… It’s just another way for students to have their voices heard in ASG in a big way.”
Polls will close Wednesday, March 11, at 5 p.m., and results will be announced next Monday.