INTRODUCTION
Students on the Elections Board serve to make sure that all part of the campus election processes run smoothly and that the integrity of our campus-wide elections is maintained. It’s no small task and they deserve our thanks for taking on this considerable responsibility. They work tirelessly with A.S. and Student Affairs staff, and the campus administration on each part of the elections process. This year started off with an unusual challenge.
Elections Board with AS and Student Affairs staff Ruth Garcia Guevara, Aaron Jones, Sean Lieberman, and Suzanne Perkins. Photo by Andy Doerr
A CONTESTED ELECTION
It was an eventful year for the Elections Board, which in effect began with the April 2016 election amid charges by the committee that the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and its president had bribed its member houses to vote for particular candidates by offering them philanthropic gifts. This led the board to call for a revote pending further review. The review included formation of the Villarreal Elections Committee by outgoing AS President Jimmy Villarreal and a further administrative review by the UCSB Audit and Advisory Services, which extended into the summer months. As reported by the Daily Nexus, Elections Board, Judicial Council, the Jimmy Villarreal Elections Commission, and the UCSB Audit and Advisory Services found no wrongdoing and the Villarreal Commission in August voted 5-0 to validate the election. It then sent its recommendation to the Chancellor’s Office and the UC Office of the President.
The Villarreal Election Commission celebrates the swearing in of the new A.S. Executive Board. Stephen Manga / Daily Nexus
The Board subsequently formally apologized to the IFC and its president.
The A.S. Elections Board speaks at a meeting in April. Lorenzo Basilio / Daily Nexus
With the IFC exonerated, A.S.’s new executive officers, President Austin Hechler, Internal Vice President Natalie Jordan and Student Advocate General Josephine Ampaw were sworn in in August with the remainder of the officers and the AS senators finally sworn in at the beginning of fall quarter.
Newly elected senators Unique Vance, Sabrina Divin and Aaron Hendizadeh are sworn in at the first Associated Students Senate meeting of the 2016 – 2017 year. Riley Esguerra / Daily Nexus
A NEW PARTY ENTERS THE RACE
In February 2017 Elections Board approve the formation of a new campus political party, the Isla Vista Party. Many of the party’s members participated in the Peer Action Coalition (PAC) party during the previous year. The IV Party faced the Campus United party in the spring 2017 election fielding Nawar Nemeh as their candidate for A.S. President.
Nawar Nemeh, the Isla Vista Party candidate for A.S. president, said he has a “pre-existing understanding” of A.S. through his three years of experience in the student government. Jenny Luo / Daily Nexus
CANDIDATE ORIENTATION AND FORUMS
As part of their duties managing the AS election, Elections Board hosts a candidate orientation that includes talks by A.S. and Student Affairs staffers regarding campaign rules, general conduct and consideration, and the importance of self care, both during the campaign and after . The outgoing A.S. executive officers also speak to the group about the challenges and rewards of campaigning and holding elected office. Everyone is encouraged to continue to be involved with A.S. regardless of the outcome of the elections. Here are some photos of the hopefuls at the 2017 candidate orientation (Photos by Andy Doerr).
The orientation is followed by a series of forums in the UCen Hub during which candidates for executive office and the Senate have a chance to articulate their platforms and goals in the public square.
ELECTION NIGHT
Election night brings to a climactic close the 4 days of voting that happen in April of each year. The evening began in the Community Affairs Board (CAB) space in the A.S. Administration building. After 4 p.m. only the Election Board and various A.S. and Student Affairs staff are allowed into the upper floor where the CAB offices are located. Assistant Director for Technology Sean Lieberman, who each year manages the IT for the election, waited for the close of the polls to start tabulating the election results. The goal was to announce them at around 7:30 and the Election Board and staff waited patiently in anticipation.
While this was happening students began gathering in the Hub. The music got turned up. There was dancing, chants were shouted, the anticipation kept building and building. There was a delay, but eventually Sean, the Elections Board, and Executive Director Marisela Marquez arrived. The results of the various races were displayed in such a way that the tension just kept building until the energy in the room was off the charts as it is every year. There were cheers and tears until finally the winner of the race for A.S. President was announced ending that phase of the evening. The parties and their adherents then left the room to celebrate or process their defeats as the case may have been. It was an incredibly intense experience for everyone involved as these photos, starting with one of the press corps, The Bottom Line and the Daily Nexus, attest. (Photos by Andy Doerr)
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