It is that time of the spring semester again; the Associated Students of the University of Arizona elections are beginning. Like many UA students, I really did not pay attention to the ASUA election at all. I would walk by the flyers, and whenever someone tried to convince me to vote, I was immediately late to a made-up class.
Like most people, I did not care because it reminded me of student body elections in high school. The popularity driven contest did not interest me then, and that thought carried an idea of what the “student government” would be like here.
However, ASUA seems much different to me than student government in high school. There is a larger student base, and the representatives actually have the ability to do something. The elected students make important decisions for their respective colleges and the university as a whole.
If they wanted to, they could make some real changes for student rights, but we will see what they actually end up doing.
RELATED: ASUA candidates, election dates announced
This year, we see some familiar faces running, as well as some new ones. Stefano “Salt” Saltalamacchia is coming back from a loss last year to Matt Lubisich.
If you are unaware of the drama that surrounded the election last year, Lubsich was disqualified and then immediately reinstated. After defeating Saltalamachia 3976-1961, Lubisich was disqualified for illegal campaigning, but that decision was later overturned by the ASUA Supreme Court due to lack of evidence.
Other than Saltalamachia, former ASUA Diversity Director Natalynn Masters, along with ASUA at-large Senator Anna Woolridge and Amos Sepkowitz, are running to lead ASUA.
The executive VP seat is guaranteed to Matthew Rein, as he is the only candidate who decided to aim for this position. Both Shawn McCarthy and Kate Rosenstengel are pursuing administrative VP.
ASUA at-large senate seats will belong to Rocque Perez, Matt Hernandez, Kelly Dorney, Tara Singleton and Anthony Rusk.
The Eller College of Management will have Michelle Mendoza and Khenda McIntee running. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences will have Aten Morin, Bennett Adamson and Eric Roshak taking a run for the seat.
The College of Education will seat Brennen Feder, while Joseph Montoya and Ashin Katwala will battle for the College of Science seat.
Madeline Melichar of the College of Engineering and College of Nursing’s Olivia Johnson will be the incumbents re-running for their seats.
The College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture; College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; College of Fine Arts; College of Humanities; College of Letters, Arts and Science; College of Medicine — Tucson have all extended their primary deadlines as they are searching for candidates to run.
Primary votes will be held Feb. 20 and 21, while General Elections will be held on the 27 and 28 of the same month. Polls will be open for 12 hours from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Go out and vote. It doesn’t take too long.
Before you might end up voting for someone who actually can advance the interests of the UA student body, or just stroking one of their egos, make sure to dedicate yourself to finding which one will make a difference.
Follow Daily Wildcat on Twitter.
