Student Government parties bombarded students with campaign materials and creative expressions of partisanship on Monday in a final push to win votes before elections, which begin today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and continue on Wednesday.
Students will have the chance to vote on three referendum questions and one initiative on today's Student Government ballot.
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.
About 75 people attended the last debate before Student Government elections on Feb. 24 and 25 at the UF Hillel.
Though many student senators were running around campaigning today on campus, not one was running in the UF Naval-ROTC event to promote the Safe Run program.
Three of the students running for Student Body president had their say Wednesday in the third and final debate hosted by The Independent Florida Alligator and UF's College Republicans. Candidates were publicly questioned in Turlington Plaza with the aim of educating students before the Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 Student Government elections.
Eight elections complaints were presented and voted on Wednesday night during a two-hour Student Government Elections Commission meeting.
Students passing through Turlington Plaza Tuesday afternoon may have heard something a little different than ranting preachers.
Senators from the Gator Party and the Orange and Blue Party were able to put party differences aside and pass a resolution unanimously opposing Gainesville Charter Amendment 1, which would legalize discrimination based on gender identity.
This semester's Student Government elections made history on Friday, and the votes haven't even been cast yet.
The Progress Party's interactive platform has been available since Wednesday, allowing students to view and rank its key points online.
The Unite Party posted its platform online Monday night.
The Orange and Blue Party released its platform online Monday night. It addresses eight themes, including sustainability, free printing and transportation.
Candidates running on the executive ticket showcased their platform ideas during a debate Sunday night in front of about 200 students, as the Feb. 24 and 25 Student Government elections loom closer.
The week before Student Government elections, candidates running on the executive ticket will have the chance to prove their credentials in a series of public debates.
The Progress Party was not disqualified Wednesday night by Student Government's Elections Commission, but they will have to dish out $80.
Student senators decided to shell out about $5,500 during Tuesday night's Senate meeting to four student organizations.
Much like their real-world counterparts, UF's student political parties and their candidates are out to win, using tactics to gain an extra edge and stirring up controversy in the process. While the campaigning season began on Jan. 27, some party leaders argue their opponent began campaigning prematurely.
Three political parties have submitted a list of candidates for 50 available Senate seats in the upcoming Student Government elections.
The Reitz Union will soon undergo a makeover to become greener and more energy efficient, after Tuesday night's Senate meeting.
Solutions by The State News
