The Student Government Association (SGA) Senate approved of a revised Elections Manual which was presented by the Elections Commission. The manual addresses the dates of the elections, campaign finances, and election complaints.
The Commission has extended the election period by 24 hours. Polls for the election will be open from 12:01 am on Monday, April 5, 2010, to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 7, 2009.
The biggest changes in the manual address campaign financing and elections complaints. The manual defines expenditures as “money spent on a ticket or monetary value of any campaign materials supporting a candidate or a ticket.” The manual also allows for individuals and student organizations to contribute to campaigns “until that ticket’s expenditures have reached their respective spending limit.” Tickets will be required to submit budget forms of expenses the third Monday of March, each following Monday, and each election day. Any overspending may result in an investigation by the Elections Commission.
The Commission also implemented a process in which violation complaints will be heard and addressed. Tickets will be notified no later than 24 hours after the Commission has received a complaint; the ticket in question will then have 24 hours to appeal the complaint.
David Johnson, the Chief Elections Commissioner, stated that he believed the new manual will allow for greater transparency. “Students will now finally have the opportunity to know how these campaigns are funded. Our manual will also allow tickets the chance to appeal violation complaints which the Commission felt is an important right. We are very pleased with the manual and hope that it allows for a smoother election process.”
For more information please contact Justin Mellish, the Chief of Staff, at justin777@live.missouristate.edu