Student Senate approved two new members to the Election Commission in the Senate meeting Tuesday night.
Student Body President Tj Villamil appointed second-year law student Brett Williams, 25, and Senate President Christina Bonarrigo appointed 24-year-old second-year law student Brianne Lewis.
Villamil’s nomination was met with some senators’ discontent because Williams’ resume was emailed to senators four hours before the meeting.
“He’s one of the most qualified people to ever apply,” Villamil said. “I will make sure that my next appointments will be sent out 48 hours before for common courtesy.”
The Senate approved Lewis unanimously.
“I was very confident that she would serve the commission well,” Bonarrigo said.
The members will serve a one-year term.
According to the election codes, commissioners cannot hold or have held any position or affiliation with any Student Government political party during the previous election cycle.
They cannot hold any other position in SG or be an executive officer of any SG-funded organization.
Carly Wilson, a former senator, announced that she is looking for a sponsor for her bill to amend the election codes.
As it stands, the Chief Justice of the UF Supreme Court nominates two law students who have completed one full year of law school. Wilson wants to amend the code to allow all law students to be eligible for nomination.
If approved, the change would not take place until next election cycle in September.
Contact Colleen Wright at cwright@alligator.org.
