The first day of party interviews for the Fall semester’s Student Government elections saw a lower turnout than last year.
On Thursday, the first day of qualifying and interviewing, 30 students registered with Impact Party and four students registered as independent, said UF Supervisor of Elections Eric Hobbs. After classes were canceled Friday, the second day of interviewing was also canceled and will not be rescheduled. Impact was the only party interviewing candidates.
In Fall 2015, 50 students interviewed with Impact, 13 with Access Party and one as independent, according to Alligator archives.
Casey Witte, who interviewed with Impact, said he wants to update game equipment at Rawlings Hall.
“I just feel someone needs to step up and represent a hall that has a large amount of freshman students,” the 18-year-old UF finance freshman said.
Alex Waler, a 21-year-old UF biology senior, said she wasn’t sure how the interviewing process worked. Hobbs confirmed she registered with Impact.
“A lot of my sisters are involved in Student Government,” said Waler, who is in Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. “The more who slate, it helps them get a chance.”
She said members of her sorority running for Senate asked her to register to support them.
“I’m not really sure that’s allowed, but I think it is,” she said. “I don’t really know how it works, to be honest.”
The last opportunity for students to interview will be Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the third floor of the Reitz Union, Hobbs said.
Tuesday: Qualifying and slating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Reitz Union third floor)
Thursday: Mandatory meeting for candidates at 8 p.m. (Reitz Union Senate Chamber)
Sept. 14: Absentee ballot requests close at 5 p.m.
Sept. 27-28: SG elections from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
