About 18 percent of University students voted in this week's Michigan Student Assembly elections - 1,000 more than voted last winter, according to estimates by MSA officials last night.
Elections Director Rajeshri Gandhi said official numbers and election results should be released today.
Gandhi said various factors contributed to the increase in student voting.
"I think the increased publicity, the diversity of the candidates and the online voting all contributed to people being more active in this election," said Gandhi, an Education senior.
The high level of attention given to campaign issues, such as affirmative action and efforts to gain a student regent, may have been a source of the rise in student participation.
"With the recent campus issues, activism has increased and voting is a simple and effective way to join the movement," Gandhi said.
Many candidates attributed the rise in voter participation to the ease of computer voting, which was instituted last winter. In addition to voting online, students were able to read about the candidates' platforms on Websites.
This year's election season has been very focused, with candidates relying more on issue stances than campaign gimmicks.
"I think the online voting has a lot to do with it because it makes the voting process more accessible to everyone, and it removes the excuse that you can't interact with candidates," said LSA first-year student Nora Coleman, an independent candidate for MSA representative.
"I think it's been a much more positive campaign," said LSA sophomore Heidi Lubin, an independent candidate running for MSA representative. "It's been focused on projects. I think that people are getting used to an MSA that works with students and administration to get things done."
The convenience of online balloting has meant that students are more willing to put forth the effort to vote.
"I think it's really good because it allows students to vote at a more convenient time," said LSA first-year student Craig Garthwaite. "It gives you the time to go through and do it at my own pace."
LSA junior Ferris Hussein said his campaign to become MSA president has managed to get more votes out from the University's fraternities and sororities.
"I think we've been able to shake things up," said Hussein, who is running as an independent candidate. "We've forced people to face certain issues that are important to everyone on campus."
Candidates continued campaigning on the Diag yesterday, handing out flyers and talking to passersby. Some candidates were clearly worn out after the intense campaigning of the previous few days.
"I'm really anxious to head home and get some sleep," said LSA sophomore Albert Garcia, who is running for MSA vice president on an independent ticket. "You never know what's going to happen."
Other candidates said students were finally understanding the importance of MSA.
"People are really receptive," said LSA first-year student Sarah Chopp, the Students' Party vice-presidential candidate. "The student body is realizing we are working for them."
Members of the New Frontier Party and the Defend Affirmative Action Party could not be reached for comment yesterday.
| Voter turnout: |
| Winter 1997: 15 percent total turnout |
| Fall 1997: 12 percent turnout |
| Winter 1998: an estimated 18 percent turnout |
| Reasons for increase: |
| * Online voting |
| * Availability of candidates' platforms |
| * Increased interest in issues, including affirmative action and student regent proposal |
| * Increased publicity |
03-20-98
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