At a Monday hearing, the elections commission unanimously dismissed Hope Party’s complaints accusing Vision of bribing Greek life students to vote in its favor.
Hope’s allegations followed Vision Party’s sweep during last week’s Student Government elections, where it solidified full control of the Senate for a third consecutive semester. The election marked Hope Party’s debut to challenge Vision’s one-party rule, filling the gap left by the previous Change and Watch Parties.
The 134-page complaint called upon the elections commission to determine whether Vision had violated election code by giving, offering or promising unauthorized benefits to influence votes. The filing specifically accused Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Tau Omega and Theta Chi of persuading members to vote by offering involvement points and other incentives like event access or attendance privileges.
Florida Blue Key, a UF student leadership honor society, was also accused of helping Vision.
None of the parties subpoenaed to support Hope Party as witnesses attended the hearing.
Monday’s decision ruled Hope Party did not meet the burden of proof, having not provided enough evidence to support its accusations.
“I just don't see any factual allegations in the complaint to actually allege a violation,” commissioner Averi Foster said. “It's just a conclusion that there was a violation instead of an actual factual scenario where a violation occurred.”
Hope Party campaign staff member and hearing representative Kayla Arora said much of Hope’s complaint relied on the prospective findings of its witnesses. She requested the Supreme Court hold absentees in contempt, though the commission cannot impose punitive action.
“The subpoenas are going to show exactly what we're trying to say,” Arora said.
Berkley Morris, a 20-year-old pre-law business administration junior, was the only witness present, having been subpoenaed as a Vision party senator and member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Morris said she’d spoken to sorority members about the election but didn’t unfairly influence their vote.
No representatives from Alpha Tau Omega, Theta Chi or Florida Blue Key were present.
In her statements, Vision representative Monique Alfonso said the party doesn’t coordinate with fraternities, sororities or external organizations. While its members are allowed to be a part of other organizations, she said, Vision is not affiliated with any.
An additional complaint filed by Hope Party ethics and accountability chair Tyler Sklar alleges vote miscounts for absentee ballots and the prohibition of an Innovations Academy student from voting. The hearing will take place Wednesday.
Contact Julia Miller at jmiller@alligator.org. Follow her on X @juliamill30.
Julia Miller is a freshman journalism student at UF working as a general asignment reporter on the metro desk. This is her first semester with The Alligator and in her free time, she enjoys watching movies, reading, and spending time with her friends.
