The Associated Student Body passed a bill promoting an amended election process, which aims to establish an optional ticket system to promote diversity within the ASB and throughout campus.
Rod Bridges, former ASB President, speaks at the 2016 ASB inauguration ceremony April 22 outside of the Lyceum.
The new ticket system allows two candidates the option to run on the same ballot, versus separate ballots when running for the positions of both Mr. Ole Miss and Miss Ole Miss during the Fall General Election and for ASB Officers during the Spring General Election. The traditional ballot had the position at the top, and each candidate listed below.
With the implementation of the new bill, two candidates running for two different positions can be listed on the same ballot.
Last April, plans were made to internally alter the stigma of the ASB. The plans were established to rebrand ASB, to rewrite the Constitution and Code to fix inconsistencies and loopholes, as well as reapportion Senate seats, adjust funding and implement a ticket system for elections.
Former ASB President Rod Bridges and former Vice President John Brahan prioritized the plans from most to least important. Both Bridges and Brahan agreed the implementation of a ticketing system for elections would need to be addressed following the current election period.
Officers presented this bill before the ASB Senate last Tuesday in an effort to promote diversity and gender equality representation in ASB, according to current ASB Vice President Michael Howell.
Howell said he believes the passage of the bill will allow qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to have a stronger chance of winning a campus election if they take advantage of this strategic opportunity.
“Non-Greeks can run with Greeks, Democrats can run with Republicans, anyone can run with anyone,” Howell said. “Giving a student the option to run on a ticket with someone much different from his or herself allows the candidates to reach, and to appeal to a much wider base of voters.”
Howell said a student could also pair up with another student with a very similar background or that two fraternity men could run together and try to appeal to the highly involved and influential Greek students on campus.
“Whatever the case may be, this bill could give opportunities to people who were previously disadvantaged by the voting system,” Howell said. “It could make campaigns much more interesting.”
Cody Elias, a non-Greek student, said he is excited for the change this ticket system will bring to campus. Elias said he is encouraged to run now because he feels he has a fair chance.
“I will be a junior next year, and since I have been at the University, I have wanted to run for officer or any position on campus,” Elias said. “I have always felt discouraged, though, because I know that with most groups, you have to know people. I hate this system of nepotism. I have a really good feeling that I will be elected next year. Thank you, ASB.”
Outgoing ASB President Rod Bridges said there is still major work to be done, but this change is a step in the right direction. Bridges said change is the mentality for this optional ticket system.
The bill passed 26-1-1 and received some assumptions that Bridges deems as “valid concerns” but can “be easily refuted.” Other senators in the meeting said the ticket system might open a door for more Greek dominance by disenfranchising the independent candidate.
Bridges said if candidates are passionate enough to make effective change, they will be successful regardless of affiliation and background.
“The Senate reapportionment did some truly great things to create a more diverse, representative student voice,” Bridges said. “Are there still things that need to be tweaked? Most definitely. It’s no secret that our elections process for major leadership positions has been criticized for lacking a diverse pool of candidates. I just think the situation this year, with six elected males, was very timely.”
ASB instituted various mechanisms to support any student’s ambition, regardless of their situation. If running a campaign was once cost-prohibitive for some individuals, running on a ticket with another will cut their campaign costs in half.
Many ASB senators said they believe this passage will also increase voter turnout and student engagement. Currently, only 10 to 30 percent of the student body participates in campus elections. According to Bridges, when groups and organizations get more invested in caucusing or endorsing candidates, elections would be drastically changed due to greater accountability.
“Instead of selling two independent platforms, how powerful would it be to see a president and vice president sharing a unified vision for their student government,” Bridges said. “How would a Greek and non-Greek ticket positively impact student government? Male and female? International? The possibilities are exciting.”
