The first day of the Student Government election saw a high turnout of voters, but it did not come without some polling mishaps and political mischief.
About 5,400 students came to the polls, a much higher turnout for the first day than last fall, said Supervisor of Elections Dan Siegel. According to Alligator archives, about 3,000 students turned out for the first day of fall 2007 elections.
Seigel said this was likely due to the political buzz on campus from the upcoming presidential election.
Some Orange and Blue Party members felt the turnout may have been aided by a Tuesday Alligator article concerning private e-mails sent among top SG and Student Senate officials.
Sam Miorelli, the party's president, said he thought some students were moved to take action after reading the story.
"I think outrage would understate it," Miorelli said of the overall reaction.
He said most students inquired about the article and less about platform points.
Gator Party President Luis Nobriga could not be reached for comment, but Gator Party Sens. Shire Patel and Brian Matz said at the party's table in Turlington they had mostly been approached by students seeking a polling location and had not been questioned about the article.
"Anybody who has a problem with some stupid article in the Alligator needs to realize there's a platform actually available," said Gator Party Treasurer Brady Beitlich.
Among the fliers describing party platforms distributed by representatives were papers with the word "LIES" printed on the front and seven alternate "truths" and "lies" - some of which mirrored the Orange and Blue Party's platform - printed on the other side about issues, such as socially responsible investing, Gator Growl and online voting.
The last point of the flier stated "Lie: The Orange and Blue Party" and "Truth: The Gator Party."
Beitlich said in a voicemail that the Gator Party is obligated to expose the Orange and Blue Party's "half-truths and their full lies."
Orange and Blue Sen. Benjamin Dictor said the fliers were a dirty political ploy.
"I mean, I'm a leftist, but that's Stalin shit right there," Dictor said.
Meanwhile, on the Plaza of the Americas, the UF College Republicans hung a banner endorsing the Gator Party by their table.
Chairman Bryan Griffin said the group's support was in response to candidates who are members of Students for a Democratic Society, who he said brought socialist leanings to the Orange and Blue Party.
"They're a bunch of crazy, socialist hippies that we don't want running our Student Government finances," he said, referring to SDS members. "I just don't want socialists handling my money."
Griffin said the Gator Party also runs an honest campaign, whereas the Orange and Blue Party relies on dirty tricks to win.
Miorelli said he was almost speechless hearing Griffin's claims.
"I think that view shows his fundamental lack of understanding of both national and student politics," said Miorelli, who said he is Republican and supporting John McCain. "He is making a bad name for Republicans everywhere when he campaigns this way."
Some voters also faced a few technical problems at the polls, such as not being registered in the correct living district.
Seigel said mislabeling happens every fall, though there may have been more confusion this year.
Voters are divided into districts based on the address listed with the Dean of Students Office, Seigel said, but if they cannot be located, they sign an affidavit with their correct address.
Tuesday's Alligator story may also have sparked an emptying of Alligator racks by unidentified individuals near residence halls and off-campus areas throughout the day.
Orange and Blue Sen. Benjamin Cavataro said he notified the University Police Department of two men emptying the Alligator racks at Hume Hall and dumping the stack of papers into the bed of a black pick-up truck. In another instance, Orange and Blue Party supporter Frank Bracco said about seven newspaper racks were empty on the west side of campus when he checked around noon.
"It's unfortunate that some individuals believe students shouldn't have access to the media," Bracco said.
Beitlich said he has not heard if the Gator Party emptied the racks and did not care to comment.
"I'm here to flat out say that this is the dirtiest election that Student Government has experienced in a long time," he said, adding that it saddened him. "If everyone's got so much to say, why don't they go say it in the polls?"
