The Election Code was recently updated to clarify existing guidelines and to include guidelines for online voting procedures.For the changes to go into effect, the code must be presented to the Student Government Association Student Senate for approval.
A large emphasis of the Election Code was to properly define what the polling center is and what polling rooms proper are. According to the Election Code, a polling center is “the specified area or building where the Election Commission shall designate as the central area to acquire assistance to any voter during the official election period.” According to Jana Stewart, SGA vice president, this area must be manned by a member of the Election Commission at all times that voting is taking place. This area will be designated as the Bollinger Student Union lobby.
Members of the Election Commission who are required to monitor this area are two executive members from both the SGA and the Student Programming Association. The SGA representatives are John Gilmore, SGA treasurer, and Stewart. The SPA representatives are Dana Durio and Amy St. Romain. Crystal Snead will serve as Election Commissioner.
Polling rooms proper are defined by the election code as “those areas specifically designated by the Election Commission before the start of any election where computers or any voting equipment will be maintained for the purpose of online voting.” This includes all University computer labs. This area does not have to have constant supervision of the Election Commission, however no campaigning of candidates of any kind is permitted in this area.
The next election, which will feature online voting procedures, will take place March 22-24. The ballot will include a constitutional amendment, the election of the SGA vice president and two fee increases to help benefit cheerleaders and the SGA.
Nicholls continues to work out glitches to perfect online voting procedures while other Louisiana universities utilize online voting as well.
According to Southeastern State University SGA president, Ashley McKee, since the spring of 2003, Southeastern State University in Hammond has used an online voting system with a similar poll operation that monitors voting in specific campus locations; however, students are not limited to those designated areas.
“There have been no problems whatsoever (with the online voting system),” McKee said. “Everyone seems happy, (and the voting turnout prior to online voting) used to be 7 percent and is now 12 percent. That’s a good many.”
The SGA president at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Robyn Deranger, said that ULL has used online voting for several semesters, and voting turnouts have increased significantly.
Now that specified requirements and guidelines have been adjusted to the election code, Nicholls SGA officials are optimistic that future online voting elections will run in a more structured and efficient manner.
“I think that the election process will run more smoothly (now that the code has been updated),” Stewart said.
