Over 6,000 votes have been cast in SG elections

ORACLE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ
Student Government (SG) elections are coming to a close this evening.
The polls will close at 11:59 p.m. and results will be announced at noon on Friday. Jennifer Bielen, assistant director for SG advising, said that as of Wednesday morning, over 6,000 votes had been cast in this year’s elections.
Supervisor of Elections for SG Jalen LaRubbio said polling stations have run out of the more than 1,000 shirts SG purchased and pizza they hand out to students who vote at the polling stations. LaRubbio said SG has been giving out close to 40 pizzas a day.
“It’s kind of hectic, but it seems like we’re having good numbers,” LaRubbio said. “Everything is running smooth.”
All voting is online, but students can vote via iPad at polling stations.
SG has been advertising the election through social media, mass emails and through the polling stations to try to entice students to vote, LaRubbio said.
“Other than that, I think it’s actually great that the candidates are also doing a great job of getting their people out,” LaRubbio said.
LaRubbio said he thinks it is important for students to get out and vote in the elections because those who win will serve as the students’ voice and make decisions on spending the money from the fees students pay.
“I mean, it’s ultimately the people that end up being your voice and the people that end up allocating your money,” LaRubbio said. “There’s millions of dollars in (Activity and Service) fees that SG’s ultimately responsible (for) and it’s a fee that everyone pays on their tuition.”
More Stories
Former USF employee, student protesters no longer facing felony charges
A group of USF protesters arrested on March 6, self-named the “Tampa 5,” agreed to a “misdemeanor intervention program” and had charges dropped on Tuesday, according to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s office. Alum Laura Rodriguez, students Gia Davilla, Jeanie Kida and Lauren Pineiro and former USF employee Chrisley Carpio were charged with battery, assault, […]
USF delays opening of on-campus stadium by one year, releases updated design model
Fans will have to wait a bit longer than anticipated to see an on-campus stadium. USF announced that the on-campus stadium opening has been delayed from its initial projection in fall 2026 until 2027 at Tuesday’s Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting. It was also announced that construction on the stadium will not begin until fall […]
USF ends agreement with company leading construction of on-campus stadium
USF has terminated the design-build agreement for the $340 million on-campus stadium project, according to an official statement issued by USF on Friday. The university previously reached a $14.8 million design-build agreement with Tampa-based construction company Barton Marlow on April 25. The statement issued by USF said “the university has informed Barton Marlow of its […]
Tampa rent prices keep rising. How are USF students managing?
For communications major Umaya Sakhi, rent is one of the most difficult things to afford as a college student. Sakhi said they have struggled with rent since their freshman year, having to balance schoolwork and a part time job to cover their living expenses. “There are times where I’m able to save up in advance […]
‘There’s no space’: Students mixed on USF restricting areas of honors college building
Sophomore environmental science major Marisabel Paredes, a non-honors student, said the change to access at the Judy Genshaft Honors College building is somewhat fair. “When I used to come here, it used to be really full. And I guess that it might be unfair for honors students who actually are coming to use the space […]
Countdown to midnight: FAFSA to open applications on New Year’s Eve
This year, students will have to add another New Year’s resolution to their list: completing the annual FAFSA form. The 2024-25 form for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open for students on Dec. 31, according to the launch announcement on the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website. Related: Here’s a breakdown of […]