With ballots closing at midnight April 3, many students were expecting an e-mail this weekend announcing the winners of the Student Government Association election. M.A.C. party candidates won in almost all positions by a wide margin, but the elections were ruled invalid by the student court in response to grievances filed by the A.G.E.N.C.Y. party.
In a meeting held April 2, the election commission dismissed SGA President Gionni Carr's complaint that the M.A.C. party's petition to run for office was invalid and stated that the election was scheduled to go on as planned.
However, Carr appealed the decision less than 11 hours before the midnight voting deadline. On Friday afternoon, the Student Court overturned the Election Commission's decision, ruling that the M.A.C. party was ineligible for election. This decision was made 15 minutes after the ballots were counted and invalidated the election. The student court recommended that the election commission hold another election, which SGA election law requires to take place within 10 days.
"We're going to follow the decision of the court," said Kenneth Taylor, election commissioner. "We really don't have any other choice. If the court says something, we have to do it."
Taylor said the election itself was in violation of several election laws, such as providing confirmation for all election commissioners within two weeks of elections, listing all candidates randomly on the ballot (not alphabetically) and providing a forum the Monday prior to election in which all candidates are represented.
"We are just college students, and it's almost impossible to hold an election 100 percent in accordance with election laws," Taylor said.
Taylor said a combination of lack of funding and the fact that SGA hasn't held a presentation rally in several years led to the decision not to hold a forum.
"To be honest, we didn't have enough money to spend on a rally. It hasn't been done since I've been here," Taylor said. "Individual parties can, however, hold their own forum. They had the opportunity."
Monday morning in front of the Tiger Den, approximately nine supporters showed up to protest the student court's decision. The protesters sported Tiger Blue and displayed homemade signs made from poster boards as they shouted to the occasional passerby. Hagan said the protest was not her idea and was formed by a group of concerned students.
"We're the students. We voted, and we want our voices to be heard," said Cassie Miller, a protester and senator for the M.A.C. party whose position was jeopardized by the overturned election.
Carr did not dispute the vote count but said the elections are now rife with "dirty politics" and "personal attacks."
"I'm not doubting that she had more votes, but the people on the ballot shouldn't have been there in the first place," he said.
Carr said he isn't enthusiastic about the idea of another election, saying it would only reward a party for breaking the rules.
"There is not going to be another election," Carr said. "In the event that there is another election, you won't see me partake in it or sign off on it."
Hagan said she didn't approve another election either, saying that another election could hinder SGA's decision-making process by keeping the focus on elections for another week.
Other members of the M.A.C. party are eager about the prospect of a new election.
"If another election is held, the M.A.C. party will just win again," Miller said.
Taylor said it is important to make sure the issue is resolved as quickly as possible.
"If we do go through with another election, I will make sure that it is wrapped up by dead week," Taylor said, referring to the week prior to exams. "Whoever the candidate is, they will be a student first and a member of the SGA second."
