Students voice complaints about ASNDNU election email
Bianca Nery
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News
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Students are protesting an E-mail sent out to them containing a list of candidates for the ASNDNU elections, taking place until April 6, and a link to the website where students can cast their vote.
Terrine Baluyut, chair of the Election Rules Committee, composed the email containing the names of the eligible candidates as well as write-in candidates running for executive board and senatorial positions.
Baluyut then sent the letter to Rich Watters, the director of student activities, to be forwarded to the student body on April 2, which is what he did. The subject of the email read "FWD: student email draft," which some accused was vague.
The other complaint was that the font size was inconsistent between the write-in candidate's names, which were slightly smaller, than those of the regular candidates. Shortly after, a second email followed with just a link to the voting website.
"Some of the candidates were concerned that it was misleading and that it was purposely done this way," said Baluyut. After students complained that the subject of the email did not clearly indicate the contents and that the font sizes were intentionally changed to favor the regular candidates, at 1:30 that afternoon Watters sent out a corrected version of the email titled "AS Elections - Voter Information."
Baluyut said that she believed that the email was not intentionally tampered with and any discrepancies in the email were simply due to chance. She added that she felt that the third email was sent out in time to correct the situation before any real damage occurred.
Undoubtedly there are still students who may have still voted before the situation was resolved. "You can't change your vote," said Baluyut, but she also said that if students have any concerns or complaints they can submit them to Watters or herself for review.
"If you do have a complaint make sure you write how you feel it affected the vote or how there was any unfairness or discrepancy. If there is any factual proof please provide that," said Baluyut. She said that aside from the email, there were other posters and flyers advertising the names of the candidates and the write-in's so they are not really concerned about the effect that the emails during that time period.
Terrine Baluyut, chair of the Election Rules Committee, composed the email containing the names of the eligible candidates as well as write-in candidates running for executive board and senatorial positions.
Baluyut then sent the letter to Rich Watters, the director of student activities, to be forwarded to the student body on April 2, which is what he did. The subject of the email read "FWD: student email draft," which some accused was vague.
The other complaint was that the font size was inconsistent between the write-in candidate's names, which were slightly smaller, than those of the regular candidates. Shortly after, a second email followed with just a link to the voting website.
"Some of the candidates were concerned that it was misleading and that it was purposely done this way," said Baluyut. After students complained that the subject of the email did not clearly indicate the contents and that the font sizes were intentionally changed to favor the regular candidates, at 1:30 that afternoon Watters sent out a corrected version of the email titled "AS Elections - Voter Information."
Baluyut said that she believed that the email was not intentionally tampered with and any discrepancies in the email were simply due to chance. She added that she felt that the third email was sent out in time to correct the situation before any real damage occurred.
Undoubtedly there are still students who may have still voted before the situation was resolved. "You can't change your vote," said Baluyut, but she also said that if students have any concerns or complaints they can submit them to Watters or herself for review.
"If you do have a complaint make sure you write how you feel it affected the vote or how there was any unfairness or discrepancy. If there is any factual proof please provide that," said Baluyut. She said that aside from the email, there were other posters and flyers advertising the names of the candidates and the write-in's so they are not really concerned about the effect that the emails during that time period.
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