News | 4/17/08

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Media Credit: Eric Gazzillo

Media Credit: Eric Gazzillo

Media Credit: Eric Gazzillo

The Student Government Association elections are in a state of limbo.

The entire Election Commission resigned Tuesday, and if a new Commission isn't in place by Friday, there will not be an election.

The resignation of the Commission prompted the Team Tigertown executive board candidates to withdraw from a public debate against opposing ticket Foundation on Wednesday.

At Tuesday's SGA meeting, tensions flared following a vote by the senate against extending the deadline for prospective senators to submit their "Intent to Return Forms."

The extension was deemed a violation of Election Policy and was denied 18-3.

"As a student I'm appalled, and as an election commissioner I hereby resign," Lauren Kaplowitz said, addressing the SGA.

After Kaplowitz resigned, the remaining four election commissioners followed suit, formally abdicating their positions.

When one SGA senator asked, "Isn't that a breach of contract?" Kaplowitz replied, "Sue me."

Kaplowitz and the other Election Commissioners had collectively decided, prior to the SGA meeting, that if the extension were not granted they would resign.

Without an Election Commission, voting for SGA candidates cannot take place, as stipulated in Article I, section one, of the SGA Election Policy.

The current policy states that "Intent to Run Forms" must be turned in by 4 p.m. at least 10 days prior to the election.

"By approving their extension of the deadline…it sets a tradition for them being able to break policy, which is not what we want them to do," Jenny Haley, current SGA president, said.

"When you start bending and breaking policy, you could say it's for the common good or they could be bending it for some other sort of perverse purpose. The Election Policy is approved for a reason," she said.

Kaplowitz and the other election commissioners had sought to extend the deadline to Wednesday, April 23 at 9 a.m. Only 17 forms were filed on time to fill the 18 seats in the SGA legislative body, meaning all senatorial candidates would run unopposed.

Only one student turned in an "Intent to Run Form" after the deadline passed, crediting his lateness to extenuating circumstances.

"I'm all about giving students choice, but not enough students chose to turn in election petitions. If students don't want to run for SGA, that's also there choice," Haley said.

Associate vice president for campus life Teri Hall, said an Election Commission would have to be formed by Friday in order to have elections next week.

"I think it's disappointing what took place this evening," Hall said Tuesday after the SGA meeting. "At this point I'm concerned about how we're going to do elections. Frankly this makes it very difficult for my staff…We will be doing something, scrambling to make this thing happen."

Kaplowitz was unsure how the SGA would proceed.

"Honestly it's not really in my control for what they are going to go through. If they would like to hold elections, they are going to have to get an Election Commission together," Kaplowitz said. "If they wanted to stick to the policy, then they have to stick to their policies."

Team Tigertown refuses to debate

As a result of the Election Commission's resignation, Team Tigertown chose to abstain from Wednesday's debate against opposing ticket, Foundation. Their decision was based on upholding Article I, section one of the Election Policy, which states, "The SGA elections will be administered by an impartial Election Commission consisting of seven full-time, undergraduate, fee-paying Towson University students."

Foundation, along with independent candidate for attorney general Ryan Assadi, chose to continue the debate, and offered students the chance to ask questions.

"[The former Election Commission] talks about getting the most students voting possible. If they really cared…they wouldn't have jumped ship just because they didn't get their way…they started a job and didn't finish it," Haley said Tuesday.

Students interested in becoming an Election Commissioner can pick up an application in the office of student activities or the SGA office. Students chosen for the commission will be paid.

Applications are due to the office of student activities University Union, Room 217, no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 17.

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