This year’s ASUO Executive election is blessed with a large number of candidates eager to get involved with student government. Refreshingly, 10 tickets will be on the primary ballot Feb. 20, and the candidates should be commended for their willingness to be involved in student leadership.
Now that the candidates have taken the initial step of launching a campaign, they will have to do their part to engage the voters, which is no small task with turnout usually hovering near 10 percent.
Many tickets facing less opposition have tried to stand out with engaging, eye-catching stunts instead of the usual poster plastering. In the 2000 ASUO election, candidates Autumn DePoe and Caitlin Upshaw had planned to perform a tap dance before a foot injury ruined performance plans. Candidates Jay Breslow and Holly Magner hopped on tandem bicycles with flying capes and posed for “wacky” Emerald photos. The latter duo — and their quirky antics — won the election.
With so many candidates this year, active and public campaigning is even more important. And current executive hopefuls have a lot to live up to. Gorilla suits, balloons or even an endorsement performance from campus a capella band On The Rocks may be solid options to keep the campaigns lively and keep voters interested. Once interest in the ticket is sparked, candidate platforms may be better received.
If nothing else, it beats taking time to pull down all those posters — or write the grievances that follow. If candidates fail to engage voters with high visibility, they will be doomed to the poor voter turnout of the past.