SGA begins nominating process for general elections
The Student Government Association is now accepting nominations for its general election.
SGA is looking for students to run for student body president, vice president and treasurer, along with filling open senator positions.
“Right now, we are in the unofficial campaigning stage,” said Shelby Township senior and SGA President Vincent Cavataio.
The unofficial campaign stage will provide students with the opportunity to collect signatures for their petition forms. Students cannot campaign by advertising or using campaign funds.
“Currently six different tickets have been submitted for vice president and president,” Cavataio said.
At 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium, SGA will be hosting an election forum where the student body president and vice president will give a brief overview of SGA positions and their responsibilities.
The student body general election campaign filing deadline is Feb. 3, and official campaigning will begin Feb. 6.
“I am very excited to see so many potential candidates; last year there were only two,” Cavataio said.
On Monday, elections for the senate will be held and new student body senators will be appointed.
“These elections are essential to making sure students are more aware of their leaders and who they can contact when they want to make requests,” Cavataio said.
SGA Parliamentarian and Alma junior Anna Dvorak has campaign experience from when she previously ran for senator in the spring of 2011 and served as campaign manager for Cavataio.
It is often encouraged to seek more than the 350 required signatures because one illegitimate signature can disqualify the entire petition, Dvorak said.
She said during the official campaigning students will be using many methods to advertise, some choose not to spend any money campaigning and rely on spreading the word during meetings.
Students are given a $500 campaign limit and will be allowed to advertise and promote themselves using various techniques.
Eaton Rapids senior and SGA Executive Secretary Kelly Wright said campaigning requires a significant investment of time.
“Elections are important, because the students’ voices can be heard and they can address issues,” Wright said.
