The first day of voting for the Fall Student Government elections saw 6,427 students voting.
This is more than the first day of Fall 2014 elections, when 5,457 ballots were cast, but less than Spring 2015, when 8,093 students cast their votes on the first day.
There was one issue during the first day of elections when the voting system had to be refreshed to reflect District A having 10 seats, instead of the nine it had last year, and District C has six seats now instead of the seven, Supervisor of Elections Erica Baker wrote in an email. This was resolved within the first 15 minutes of polls being open.
Max Dunevitz, a UF electrical engineering sophomore, walked out of Marston Science Library wearing a voting sticker. He cast his first vote for SG Senate on Tuesday because he said voting is empowering.
"Part of it’s a responsibility," the 18-year-old said. "If you don’t, you’re missing out on something."
Jaclyn Biedronski, 21, has been voting since her freshman year. The District D resident said students can’t complain if they don’t vote.
"I think we should act upon our rights," the UF international studies and psychology senior said.
Vinny Nguyen, a UF biology junior, said those who don’t vote do nothing to change the system.
"You make a big difference," the 20-year-old said.
Contact Caitlin Ostroff at costroff@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @ceostroff
• Broward Hall Library
• Health Science Center, C2-041C
• Bryan Hall, Study Area
• Jennings Hall Library
• Law School (Bruton Geer)
• Marston Science Library
• Murphree Area Commons
• Norman Hall Education Library
• Reitz Union Computer Lab
• Southwest Recreation Center
• Springs Area Office
Eight-week-old corgi Beau Franklin yawns after a morning of campaigning Sept. 29, 2015, on Turlington Plaza. His owner, Hana Sladick, brought him with her to promote Access Party during Student Government elections.
Zach Kozik, a 21-year-old UF criminal justice junior, holds a 9-month-old Pomeranian named Luke outside the Hub Sept. 29, 2015. While stopping to pet the pup, Kozik learned about Impact Party’s platform from Luke’s owner, Roshelle Twymon, a 19-year-old UF political science sophomore who was campaigning for the first time.
