IUSA seeks candidates as election season begins

IU Student Association election season has begun.

To introduce interested candidates to the rules and the application process of the election, the IUSA Election Commission organized the first of three campus-wide callouts Tuesday night in the Indiana Memorial Union Oak Room.

One ticket has declared its intention to run, and the Election Commission — a group of five student representatives who oversee and run the election — was unanimously approved at last Sunday’s Congress meeting.

Former Union Board president and senior Jared Thomas serves as president of the Election Commission.

This year’s biggest election change, Thomas said, will be his approach as president of the commission. 

“My goal is to get as many tickets and as much information out there,” Thomas said. “People think student voice isn’t being heard, and they want someone to do something about it. So I’d really like for students to get engaged and involved so they can put their money where their mouth is.”

His goal, he said, is to get three tickets running.

“Two is good,” Thomas said. “Three would be amazing.” 

He said since he has been a student at IU, he has noticed a rollover between students involved in IUSA the year before forming a ticket and winning.

This trend, he said, has both positives and negatives.

“I’m kind of torn,” Thomas said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily a terrible thing.” 

On one hand, Thomas said, students from the previous administration can continue progress made by the previous administration. Prior IUSA members also have previous institutional knowledge, which makes the transition smoother.

He acknowledged this administration has done a good job bringing about positive changes like SafeRide and the Lifeline Law.

However, Thomas said this trend creates the risk that IUSA is not representing the diverse interests of the student body.

“With continuing to have that group of people carry it over, you run the risk of becoming a little bit isolated,” Thomas said. “So all of that is what I’m trying to push against. My job as the commissioner — even though I do have a personal relationship with these people — my job is to try to get as many voices involved in this election as I can.”

Thomas will work alongside Brandon Walsh, Lexy Parrell, Brandon Hafft and Brittany Skibowski, the other four members of the Election Commission.

“I want to be a resource to all of the different students running and answer their questions,” Parrell said. “I don’t want to just punish them for doing things the wrong way.”

The election schedule was also finalized Tuesday.

All interested applicants must apply by March 14. IUSA elections will take place April 1 and 2.

Twenty students attended the callout meeting. Current student body president Jose Mitjavila discussed background information about IUSA positions, information on responsibilities the executive and legislative branch have and advice on running.

“When you’re planning your campaigns, get big with it,” Mitjavila said. “Think of big things that are really gonna affect all students. You’re gonna want to do the most you can with the time you have.” After Mitjavila spoke, Thomas went over the election code with the candidates to inform them of the IUSA election rules and consequences of violating those rules.

He noted the IUSA office, for current IUSA members running on an executive ticket cannot be used for campaigning. Additionally, total campaign expenditures may not exceed $3,000.

The all-candidates meeting is March 24 and the debate between tickets will be March 25. March 26 is the last day for candidates to withdraw their name from the ballot.