Student Government election voting ended last night at 11:59 p.m., but the campus will not find out who won until 7:30 tonight because of a change in the election code made last spring.
KC White, associate dean of students and adviser to the Student Senate, said the Senate changed the election-results announcement procedure — in previous years, the results were announced the day of elections — because the Senate did not know what to expect from online elections.
This spring was the first large election held online, in which full-time students could vote from any computer with Internet access. Formerly, voting was held only at campus computer stations.
White said the announcement of election results was moved a day later to give SG “a cushion” in case problems arise.
After this election, White said the Senate will be able to make decisions from experience and can change the time election results are announced if appropriate.
Some students said they thought they had been ill-informed because they were not told about the delay in the election-result announcement.
“I don’t want to wait around for the results, because I took the time to vote,” said Claire Wheeler, an international trade and finance sophomore. “This election is important, so I want to know who won as soon as possible.”
Kelly Botel, a mass communication sophomore, said that having to tolerate “annoying” campaign workers who bombard students with push cards and slogans is enough reason to know results earlier.
“With the amount of pressure they put on you to vote, they should at least announce the results the morning after the elections,” Botel said.
Not all students disagree with the election code’s policy on announcing the results.
“It doesn’t bother me that I won’t find out for a while,” said Tyler Henderson, a business junior. “As long as they come in right, I don’t really care.”
Commissioner of Elections Devin Reid said today’s results will be unofficial until certified.
He said if no complaints or appeals are filed, the results will be certified two class days after the election.
Election results will be announced in 103 Williams Hall.
