The Election Commission ruled Sunday that both the Students Party and the Swamp Party did not commit any campaign violations.
The commission heard one complaint submitted by the Swamp Party and three by the Students Party, which were heard together.
The Swamp Party filed a complaint against the Students Party president, Sen. Ford Dwyer, for campaigning during three Student Senate meetings, which violates election codes.
Sen. Truman Williams, who represented the Swamp Party, said Dwyer was campaigning when he discussed his referendum asking students to change the name of the Reitz Union.
Although Dwyer spoke during a public session, Williams argued that Dwyer was acting as a senator on behalf of his party, not as an individual.
“I think his intent [was] very clear, and I think his party [was] supporting his intent,” Williams said.
However, Christian Chessman, who represented the Students Party, said neither party had the referendum on its platform.
The court unanimously ruled that Dwyer was acting as an individual.
“I’m not going to agree we can tell a senator — or anybody from either party — they’re restricted from talking about a referendum they are doing on their own,” said Election Commission chairman Wes Stephens.
The commission also unanimously agreed that no violation occurred regarding the Students Party complaint about Swamp Party signs.
On the first day of elections, the commission had ordered a cease and desist, which Chessman said the Swamp Party violated because the signs were still around Wednesday evening. However, there was no deadline on when the signs had to be removed.
The Students Party was concerned about the signs being left unattended.
“These kinds of signs at high traffic places, on and off campus, constitute irreparable harm,” Chessman said.
The commission decided that the signs were more like banners, which can be left unattended but need approval from the university and the supervisor of elections.
Williams said once the party was aware of the cease and desist, it made an effort to remove the signs.
Chessman said he plans to appeal the decision to the UF Supreme Court.
Williams did not comment on the rulings after the hearing.
Contact Samantha Shavell at sshavell@alligator.org.
