After several delays, the ASUO Senate has confirmed three-fifths of its elections board.
MacGregor Ehlen was confirmed in January after an attempt in November. Senators took issue with Ehlen’s friendship with ASUO President Sam Dotters-Katz, which Ehlen rejects, stating that lots of people have friends in the ASUO.
“When somebody says you can’t have friends in this position it’s like the pot calling the kettle black,” Ehlen said.
Ehlen’s appointment delay subsequently delayed the hiring process for other positions on the ASUO elections board: The positions of officer manager and outreach coordinator have yet to be filled.
Senate members raised similar issues during Drew Spainhower’s confirmation. He’s the ASUO elections board education coordinator. Because Ehlen and Spainhower are fraternity brothers, some senators addressed concerns about friends hiring friends. Spainhower was ultimately confirmed by the ASUO Feb. 5.
Once the hurdle of confirmation was over, the team was free to write the rules for the upcoming ASUO presidential election, some of which will post considerable changes from previous campaigns. Once the suggested changes are drafted, Constitution Court approval is required before they may be implemented.
The elections board is proposing significant change from last year’s election rules in response to previous issues and grievances. Previously, campaigns have been allowed to help students vote at their tables. This will no longer be the case. Instead a neutral ballot site will be set up to make sure that the integrity of the election remains intact. Spainhower emphasizes the importance of student awareness and education.
“Their votes do make a difference and I’d like everyone to be educated on what’s going happening on campus,” he said.
“One of the biggest issues in the last few elections has been T-shirts,” Ehlen said, addressing grievances filed against campaigns, including the United Oregon campaign last year, where campaigners were giving out T-shirts in exchange for votes.
While the election rules do allow for advertising, it does not allow those to be given implicitly or explicitly in exchange for votes. This is nothing new, but with a history of T-shirt grievances, Ehlen hopes campaigns are sure to be careful to avoid bribery-related grievances.
A main goal of the elections board is to increase voter turnout, especially among the international student community, according to Rujun Cao, the newly appointed elections board public relations coordinator. Before becoming an ASUO intern in the fall, Cao, like many students on campus, knew what it was like to feel disconnected with ASUO elections.
“I want to connect the ASUO to all the students on the campus and help international students to get more involved in the spring election,” Cao said.
The focus on international student participation in the upcoming election is another step to increase voter turnout. According to Ehlen, students can expect the elections board to be more vocal than it has been in past years.
“We’re hoping there are no setbacks, but it is an ASUO election,” Ehlen said.
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