As Fall UF Student Government elections approach in the upcoming week, students will head to the polls to cast their votes for a new cohort of 50 student senators.
The Student Senate is SG’s primary legislative body, which proposes, debates and passes legislation. Legislation and decisions led by the Senate can impact student organization funding and other aspects of student life.
Fall elections will take place Sept. 27 and 28. Students vote for their senators based on living areas.
Each on-campus residence halls receives one senator. Each off-campus district receives a number of senators proportional to their population, as outlined by the Senate Reapportionment Act of 2022:
District A: ZIP Codes 32601, 32609, 32614 11 senators
District B: ZIP Codes 32603, 32605, 32606, 32653 7 senators
District C: ZIP Codes 32607 6 senators
District D: ZIP Codes 32608 12 senators
District E: All other locations not included within the ZIP codes listed above 1 senator
Students can vote Sept. 27 and 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at any of the following polling locations: Bryan Hall, Broward Recreation Room, Health Science Center Library, Levin School of Law, Norman Hall Educational Library, Reitz Union Computer Printing Lab, Southwest Recreation Center or Springs Library and Recreation Room.
A valid ID and GatorLink username and password are required to vote.
The Gator Party, which currently holds the majority in the Senate, has slated candidates for all 50 available seats. The Change Party, who holds the minority, slated all but five seats. A third party, the Liberation Party, slated eight candidates.
The full slate of candidates is available through the SG website.
In order to maintain an official caucus in the Senate, a party must win eight seats. The Change Party currently holds eight Senate seats and risks losing their standing as minority caucus if they don’t maintain or gain seats in next week’s election.
All three parties have either partially or fully released their platforms for the Fall election, as of Tuesday.
Gator Party’s platform features a football ticket grant program, construction of electronic charging stations at the Reitz Union and the donation of unused flex bucks to the UF Field & Fork Pantry.
The Change Party’s platform includes 24-hour library access, an equity reform in student organization funding and eco-friendly initiatives across campus.
The Liberation Party’s platform introduces free on-campus laundry, funding for reproductive and sexual healthcare, and abolishing name change fees on GatorONE cards.
For any questions about the upcoming election, students can contact Supervisor of Elections Ethan Halle or visit the SG office on the third floor of the Reitz Union.
In Spring 2023, students will vote for the 50 remaining student senators who represent different colleges rather than by living area, as well as for Student Body President, Vice President and Treasurer.
The Senate meets Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. on the ground floor of the Reitz Union in the Senate Chamber.
Contact Alissa at agary@alligator.org Follow her on Twitter @AlissaGary1.
Alissa is a sophomore journalism major and University Editor at The Alligator. She has previously covered student government, university administration and K-12 education. In her free time, she enjoys showing photos of her cats to strangers.
