ASG Election Committee Dismisses Complaint Against Rani

Voting for ASG candidates will close tonight at midnight, April 30th. Photo by Dylan Ryu.

Update:
The Associated Student Government Election Committee has unanimously dismissed the complaint against incumbent presidential candidate Ryan Rani '26, finding no evidence that he violated campaign rules.

In a statement released Wednesday evening, the ASG Election Committee said: "Based on the evidence provided, no violation of the Election Code or the Constitution and Bylaws occurred."

The Election Committee also clarified that under current ASG rules, a candidate would need to accumulate three violations to face disqualification from the election, not just one.

The complaint had alleged that Rani approached a student service organization during a tabling event and offered a donation in exchange for votes. While Rani did make a $5 donation to the organization, the committee found insufficient evidence to support the allegation of vote buying.

Vote counting continues in the ASG presidential election, with results expected to be announced Thursday.

A student has filed an election complaint claiming that incumbent Associated Student Government President Ryan Rani ’26 approached members of a service group while they were tabling outside Benson Memorial Center on Tuesday and allegedly offered to make a donation in exchange for their votes in today’s election.

Rani denied the accusation and said that the idea of trying to buy votes made little practical sense. 

“I would never do something like that. And even if I did for some reason, that doesn’t make sense to risk getting disqualified,” Rani said. “There’s 8000 or like 6000-something students that can vote; I think there were like 2 or 3 people tabling.” 

He acknowledged making a $5 donation to the service organization, but said it was simply part of his regular pattern of supporting campus groups.

“I always donate or buy food from them whenever I see them tabling,” Rani explained. “I'll always try to help and donate to any group I see. A lot of my best friends are co-chairs, presidents of these clubs.”

The complaint was filed by a member of the involved service organization, who requested to remain anonymous to protect themselves and their organization from potential repercussions. 

According to the complaint, Rani approached their table with what appeared to be dual intentions: allegedly to donate to their organization while simultaneously seeking their electoral support.

When asked whether or not the student believed that Rani was intentionally looking to solicit student votes, they affirmed, saying “Yes.”

ASG Chief Justice Bailey Black ’25 confirmed that candidates are not allowed to solicit votes in exchange for donations. The student government’s Constitution and Bylaws forbids candidates from “Creating undue influence by offering rewards or incentives in exchange for their vote.” 

“Whether it applies to a particular situation is a decision for the Election Committee to make based on the evidence provided to them,” Black clarified. He added that he is not involved in reviewing this particular case as he does not serve on the committee, but the policy could be applicable as the complaint is reviewed.

This policy is new to ASG’s Constitution and Bylaws this year, meaning the Election Committee’s conclusion will set a new precedent for dealing with matters of campaign violation. “This specific provision was added this year, so no it has never come up,” said Black.

Election Committee Chair and current ASG Vice President Erta Hoxha ’25 said that she and the committee are unable to comment on the matter at this time. However, she did confirm that the ASG Election Committee has formally received the filed complaint. 

According to ASG’s Constitution and Bylaws, the complaint document will not be made public if it does not result in a violation: “Redacted copies of Election committee complaints that result in a violation will be made available to the Student Body and will be shown on the ASG website’s election page.” 

This article was updated on April 30, 2025 11:36 p.m to reflect that the ASG Election Committee found no violations stemming from the complaint.