Student Government Elections

Written By: Laila Drummond

TOLEDO, Ohio - The University of Toledo's Student Government elections are coming up. This is a long-standing tradition, so here's some notable information.

Students interested in running for student body president must find an accompanying vice president to run with them. Then they need to meet with the student elections board.

The student must complete this no later than February 16. According to Annabelle Welch, the Election Board chair.

After that, they'll need to obtain 400 peer signatures, collected on Invonet, to get on the ballot. This must be completed by February 27.

A presidential candidate does have a few restrictions including: no campaigning in the residence halls, and a limit of 1,500 dollars on campaign fees.

Candidates for presidents can also receive endorsements from different campus organizations.

Alongside presidential elections, student senate elections are happening as well. Senators also have their own guidelines.

They must also not campaign in resident's halls; and can spend 500 dollars on campaign fees.

Senators also need 85 signatures; however, senators are not allowed to receive any endorsements.

Senators can serve a two-year term; however, you can end your term early according to Welch.

"For example, if you are a junior, you want to run, you can serve your senior year and graduate" Welch says.

There are many perks to being Student Body President or Vice President, like receiving a staff parking permit and free tuition.

Elected senators also receive some benefits, like priority registration, and the ability to be the first people to vote in the new session of Student Government.

Welch explains that the student government is looking for senators to represent each individual college.

"We want to designate one person per college to represent their college." Welch says, "They are going to have meetings with their deans, to get advocacy for each college out there"

Armando Rodriguez, an Election Board Representative, says student government's goal is to have students of all backgrounds represented.

"A lot of us were affected by senate bill 1 (SB1), so getting student advocacy in this forum is very important." Rodriguez states.

Elections start March 30, and go until April 6, at 8 p.m.

Anyone with questions, or if you are interested in running, contact utoledoeb@gmail.com