For the first time since 2013, WSU Vancouver is holding a special election for the roles of president and vice president of the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver. Voter polling stations opened at 8 a.m. Sept. 17 and close at 6 p.m. on Sept. 19.
Last year, the ASWSUV presidential race was deemed invalid by the Pullman ASWSU Judicial Board after a hearing on April 5. The election was invalidated under ASWSUV Bylaw 610.05 which does not allow a member of the Election Board to run for a student government position.
The 2018/19 ASWSUV Vice President Elect Davina Cepeda served on the ASWSUV Election Board at the beginning of the 2017/18 school year and in turn the election was invalidated.
The 2013 special election was invalidated due to the use of an unofficial polling site; leading to all forms of campaigning to be barred, and, compared to the first election, resulting in a lower student voter turnout rate.
Following the spring 2018 election invalidation, presidential and vice presidential candidates Caroline Brenner and Zeke Estes removed themselves from candidacy; requiring an entirely new election instead of a re-vote.
Despite the controversy, Vince Chavez, a double major in neuroscience and biology and Cepeda’s running mate in the spring election, is running again with a new vice presidential running mate, Holly Ta, a management information systems major.
“I knew that the very small voice in my head that said ‘is it worth it?’ was what was keeping me going,” Chavez said.
Chavez and Ta are running on a platform they call “ACT”, an acronym that stands for: advocating for students, collaborating with other branches of government and transparency between students and government.
The second ASWSUV presidential and vice presidential ticket consists of digital technology and culture major, Cam Plute and running mate, hospitality and business management major, Mandy Quinn.
When asked about the controversial spring elections, Plute said “I don’t feel like anyone was at fault. I feel like there was a lot of miscommunications.” He added, “We’re glad that it gave us the opportunity to run because we weren’t aware that elections were even open last year.”
The third presidential and vice presidential ticket consist of social sciences major, Faith Guetter and her running mate, a business administration major, Eden Gillmer. When asked about the spring elections, Gillmer said it’s good that the problems get recognized.
Guetter agreed with Gillmer’s statement about the spring elections, adding “I think it’s good that they’re recognizing it and still talking about it instead of just sweeping it under the rug.”
For the special election, Guetter and Gillmer are running on a platform of student advocacy and involvement, affordability and student resource expansion.
“The students needs and wants and rights are our main priority,” Guetter said.
Special election results will be announced at 8 p.m. on Sep. 19 in FSC 104. The new ASWSUV president and vice president will be confirmed by the Senate at 1 p.m. on Sep. 21.