The campaigning for Undergraduate Students Association Council
offices has started.
But it wasn’t supposed to have ““ it’s supposed
to start later this week.
But already there are separate Web sites asking students to vote
for presidential candidate Doug Ludlow and General Representative
candidate “Moochfish” (Michi Kono). Students can also
pick up glossy handouts produced by the Equal Access Coalition.
Carefully worded so as not to qualify as “campaign
literature,” the handouts clearly serve the same
function.
There seem to be more rules governing USAC elections than there
are students who will actually vote. Sometimes the guidelines are
picky and, in certain cases, they seem contrary to the idea of free
speech. But so long as the elections code is written as it is,
candidates should learn the rules and keep campaign activities
within their spirit.
The 2002-2003 USAC president suggested that manipulation was a
key to success. Last year’s candidates criticized such
bitterness unanimously. This year’s would surely do the same.
But it’s less impressive to speak against manipulation than
to pursue office without being manipulative.
High as the stakes are, USAC candidates should challenge
themselves not to duck guidelines or look for e-code loopholes.