An hour before the final deadline, Lauren Latimer toyed with her folder while waiting for her interview.
“I’m not super nervous, because I do understand it’s a very competitive process,” the UF business administration freshman said.
Latimer was one of 223 students who showed interest in becoming Student Government Senate candidates for Fall elections, where 50 seats will be filled based on residential location.
Erica Baker, the SG Supervisor of Elections, wrote in an email that 96 students spoke to Impact Party and 43 with Inspire Party at the Reitz Union on Tuesday, which was the last of three days for students to register.
Over the three days, 153 students interviewed with Impact, and 66 interviewed with Inspire, a party formed this Fall. Two candidates registered as independent, and two said they were undecided, Baker said.
In Fall 2016, the total number of interested students was slightly higher, with 227 students registering. Impact had 213 students interested, while 14 registered as independent, according to Alligator archives.
Latimer said she wants to run with Impact for a seat representing Infinity Hall, and if she gets elected, one of her goals will be to add more lights by the hall.
She said she chose to interview with Impact because she’s seen students wearing the party’s shirts on campus.
“I want to meet people, and they’re really connected in the community,” the 18-year-old said.
Zachary Delaney, a UF sustainability and the built environment freshman, said he thinks he was the first to meet with Inspire at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
The 18-year-old said he chose Inspire because he likes that the party members believe in representing their constituents, instead of their personal interests.
“It wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be,” he said.
Fall 2017 SG Slating by the Numbers
Tuesday:
138 total
96 Impact
43 Inspire
Friday:
55 total today
39 Impact
15 Inspire
1 Independent
Thursday:
18 - Impact
8 - Inspire
1 - Independent
2 - Undecided
Totals:
Impact - 153
Inspire - 66
Independent - 2
Undecided 2
