We agree with ASUO Executive candidate Todd Mann’s call during today’s debate for campaign finance reform. Both tickets had received and spent more than $1,000, according to the contributions and expenditures forms reported by the Emerald Monday. Both Jared Axelrod and Mann contributed $300 to their respective campaigns, and Axelrod’s mother contributed $500 compared with $300 from Mann’s mother.
Last year, one campaign spent more than $2,000.Next year’s ASUO Elections Board should consider lowering the $500 contribution limit for groups and individuals to help ensure equal access to student government elections.
Much of the money raised is spent on fluorescent campaign T-shirts, one of the most noticeable signs of election season; the tickets spent about $1,000 each on average for shirts this year.
Because election rules prohibit candidates from giving away items of value, candidates often sell them for a penny.
This end-run around the election rules is a detriment to student elections. Next year’s ASUO Elections Board should consider requiring more realistic compensation for T-shirts to help keep campaign costs down and to enforce the spirit, if not the law, of elections rules.