Students Petition to Recall Election
By Matthew Rupel
For the first time in the recent history of Associated Student Government, a recall vote of the newly elected president and vice president has been proposed. If the recall passes, the candidacy of Jenna Saso and Matt MacDonald will be nullified, and a re-election will be necessary.
The recall petition was submitted at last week's Senate meeting by a group of students who felt that the election process was handled unfairly. The elections saw a surge of interested after the highly controversial disqualification of Robert Leupp and Alex Sola-Guinto for three violations to the election code.
Senior Jim Sullivan, a spokesperson for the group, insisted that the recall was not about any particular candidate. "It's a petition to say that there should be a new election that's a fair election to all the candidates," he said. "If all the candidates were part of an unfair election, that's not fair to anyone."
The recall petition required a total of 200 signatures, which sophomore Katie Wendland, the student who submitted the petition at last Thursdays Senate meeting, said took a few hours. Lindsay Gray, the head of the election committee, explained that at least five students reported violations during the gathering of the signatures, including a report of dorm-storming to collect signatures.
If the recall passes, a new election for the president and vice president will occur. Since the recall is unprecedented, there is no structure in place for a new election. Proposed additions to the recall protocol in the bylaws will be discussed at today's senate.
If the recall passes, a new election for the president and vice president will occur. Since the recall is unprecedented, there is no structure in place for a new election. Proposed additions to the recall protocol in the bylaws will be discussed at today's senate.
One proposed addendum include requiring a super majority of more than two-thirds the original votes cast, or 1,083 votes, to pass the recall. Other additions include leaving the new election to be structured by the current election committee and the stipulation that five violations by the student body will nullify the recall.
According to the proposal, these could include violations of university policy, defamation of those involved in the recall or its process, or any information used to mislead the student body about the recall.
If the recall vote passes, a new election will have to happen that's open to all candidates with the necessary signatures.
ASG is already behind on their transition schedule for next year's government. Normally, the president-elect begins to work with the standing president immediately after the election during week five. If the recall passes, the soonest that transition could start would be week nine.
ASG is already behind on their transition schedule for next year's government. Normally, the president-elect begins to work with the standing president immediately after the election during week five. If the recall passes, the soonest that transition could start would be week nine.
Contact Matthew Rupel at mrupel@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4849.