University of Colorado
University of Colorado Student Union
Legislative Council
January 28, 2009 72LCB#6 – Reform of UCSU Election Code
Write-In Candidate System
Sponsored by:
Daniel
Ramos Tri-Executive
Blaine
Pellicore Legislative Council
President
Alexander Schnell Election Commissioner
Tom Higginbotham Tri-Executive
Christine Thai Tri-Executive
Danielle
Warly Assistant Election
Commissioner
Authored by: Alexander
Schnell Election
Commissioner
Daniel
Ramos Tri-Executive
Blaine
Pellicore Legislative Council
President
Reform of
UCSU Election Code Write-In Candidate System
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Bill History
The UCSU Election Code as it stands allows for write-in candidates to appear on UCSU election ballots. While this system has been valuable in the past, the write-in process needs reform. In order for a candidate to become a write-in they must apply to the UCSU Election Commission in order to be verified as a full-fee-paying student, and thus an eligible candidate. They may do this up until one week before the election. Once a student is verified as an eligible candidate, the Election Commissioner will put the student on the ballot. It is then at the discretion of the Election Commissioner as to whether that candidate may attend candidate events and/or be publicized at the expense of the Election Commission’s budget. While there are ideological arguments for the continuation of the status quo of the write-in system, there are also equality issues to argue.
Candidates who run as write-ins do not have to go through the petition process. Thus, while the formal candidates had to collect signatures of support to run, all a write-in must do is come the day after petitions are due and sign up to be a candidate. Clearly, this does not seem fair to the candidates who did petition work. There is also the issue as to whether it is ethical to use student fees to promote a candidate that didn’t petition students to run for office. Instead of arguing for a meticulous structure of how the write-in process should work, there is a simple solution to the system.
As of now, the write-in system functions well as a backup mechanism to fill seats when there are not enough formal candidates running to fill positions. Therefore, it is a necessary process to use when there needs to be quick recruitment to fill elected positions. However, in a contested election, when there are enough formal candidates running to fill seats, the write-in system should remain inactive. By making this slight change, the process is able to remain in the bylaws to function as a backup procedure for empty seats, while not stifling competition among formal candidates in a competitive election
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Bill Summary
This bill will amend § 403 of the UCSU Election Code
to reflect the new procedures for allowing a write-in candidate to appear on
the ballot.
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THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Council of
the University of Colorado Student Union, THAT,
Section 1: SECTION 403 (a) (1) of the UCSU Election Code shall read: Write-in candidates may only appear on the ballot if there are not enough § 402 (d) declared candidates running to fill all vacant seats in an election.
Section 2: SECTION 403 (a) (2)
of the UCSU Election Code shall read: Separate from the situation described
in § 403(a)(1), write-in candidates may be permitted
to appear on the ballot under extreme
circumstances at the discretion of the Election Commissioner.
Section 3: This bill shall take
effect upon passage by the Legislative Council and upon either obtaining the signatures
of two Tri-Executives or the lapse of six days without action by the
Tri-Executives.
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Vote
Count:
1/28/10 Passed on
1st reading Acclamation
2/4/10 Passed
on 2nd reading Acclamation
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_____________________ _____________________
Blaine Pellicore Thomas
Higginbotham
Legislative Council President Tri-Executive
_____________________ _____________________
Daniel Ramos Christine
Thai
Tri-Executive Tri-Executive