With 6,001 voters, the 2011 Student Government (SG) general elections saw the highest voter turnout in school history. However, newly appointed SG Supervisor of Elections James Bodden thinks he can attract more students to the polls in 2012.
Bodden, a senior majoring in public health, has served as Supervisor of Senate Elections for the past two years. He was sworn into his new position within the Election Rules Commission (ERC) on Tuesday during a SG Senate meeting, where he outlined his plans for midterm elections held during the fall semester and spring general elections for the student body president.
“Some of my expectations are (for) midterm elections (to attract) 2,500 voters. We rarely get over 1,000 for midterm elections, but I think it’s possible,” he said. “We’re looking at 10,000 votes for general election.”
Student Body President Matt Diaz, who appointed Bodden, said he chose him over other students interviewed for the position because of his experience.
“This is one of the first times we’ve really had the opportunity to bring someone in from previous years to take over the ERC,” Diaz said.
Senate upheld Diaz’s appointment of Bodden with a 34-0-2 vote, with Senate President Khalid Hassouneh and Senate Pro Tempore Rachel Brown abstaining.
– Staff Report
