Winning student votes doesn't come cheap. Parties spent a pretty penny this election season, with the majority of funds spent on T-shirts. The rest went toward campaign materials, such as fliers and stickers.
Three of the four parties running - the Orange and Blue Party, the Progress Party and the Unite Party - raised at least $12,493, according to campaign finance records.
The Orange and Blue Party did not have the latest financial report available by deadline, so the party's latest expenses were not factored in to the final sum.
The Progress Party spent $1,275 on T-shirts, while the Unite Party spent $2,200, according to expense reports, which are filed every Monday night to monitor party expenses. The Orange and Blue Party spent $2,028 on shirts.
"T-shirts are a big expense, but people like them," said the Unite Party candidate for Student Body treasurer, James Greenwood, adding they are a good investment since the clothing serves as walking advertisements.
The Unite Party also spent a heavy portion of its donations, which totaled $6,670, on party paraphernalia. About $420 went toward stickers and about $480 was spent on pencils, according to reports.
Progress Party Treasurer Peter Laumann said his party's spending goal was just to get the message across effectively.
"The point is not to buy people's votes," Laumann said.
SG records show the Progress Party has raised about $2,300, and spent about $306 on fliers and $208 on stickers.
The Keg Party has neither raised nor spent any money on its campaign, although Frank Bracco, Keg Party president, donated $200 to the Orange and Blue Party, according to records.
"Money isn't the biggest part of our campaign. Out campaign is about ideas. Our platform is ultimately what will get us votes," said Orange and Blue candidate Mark McShera, who is running for Student Body president.
