Reversing
a three-year downward trend, student turnout rose by more than
30 percent during the LPC elections held April 19-22.
The 250 voters approved each of the seven unopposed candidates
by a Yes to No margin of more than 10 to one. President-elect
Chris Conlon was elected with a 20 to one margin.
Voter turnout has declined since 1996, when 400 students turned
out to approve a portion of the $5-a-semester Student Activity
fee to go towards the renovation and expansion of the Student
Union.
In 1997 voter turnout was down, but still attracted more students
than usual, as there was a bevy of candidates. With no one facing
opposition the following year, turnout plummeted to 150.
All the contestants were unopposed again this year, but, according
to Karen Kit, executive secretary of the Student Service office,
voting was up because of the student government sponsored barbecue
and election exposure in the Express. There was also
an additional incentive for students to vote: the Director of
Events position had no candidate and could be won by write-in
ballot.
When the votes were counted, however, only 11 write-in votes
were cast, six of which went to the winner, Christine Morrissey,
editor of theExpress.
Next year’s election turnout should benefit from increased
student awareness, as the ASLPC offices are scheduled to move
in to the student union in September.
The one other item on the ballot this year was the students’
pick for favorite instructor. The winner of that award will be
announced at the LPC_Awards Reception on May 6, when student
scholarship and other award winners for the past school year
are honored.