Spring Elections Orientation MAJOR CANDIDATES

1. Spring Elections OrientationMAJOR CANDIDATES Caroline Hazelrig Matt Nelson Director of Elections Director of Elections Clay Parker Secretary of Political Affairs

2. Chapter 700: Purpose • The purpose of the Elections process is… • To give students the opportunity to gain skills, to participate in public service, to openly debate, and to represent the breadth of issues that arise on a university campus. • To provide a fair and open process by which the students of Auburn University may choose their representatives to the Student Government Association. • To provide an additional learning experience. • The purpose of the Elections process is NOT… • To create an excessively competitive and contentious environment, which might threaten the academic and social welfare of Auburn students.

3. Chapter 702: Elections Officials • Elections Board (E-BOARD) • Presides over the Elections process and governs all judicial functions thereof. • Ensures that elections are run fairly and in accordance with all rules and regulations set forth by the Code of Laws • Will hear and rule on all reported violations of the Code • Any action by a Campaign that is not allowed in the Election Law is in violation of the Election Law and will result in sanctions imposed by the Elections Board. Violations Forms will be due to the Secretary of Political Affairs by 5:00 PM on each day of formal campaigning. • The Elections Board will make alleged infractions available in writing in the SGA office at 6:00 PM on each day of Formal Campaigning.

4. Chapter 702: Elections Officials • Elections Board (E-BOARD) • Clay Parker, Secretary of Political Affairs • Jacob Watkins, SGA President • Chris Wheeler, Chairman • Brianna Bailey • Terence O’Connor • Mike Smith • Charlie Townsend • Dr. Fred Kam, Non-Voting Advisor

5. Chapter 702: Elections Officials • Directors of Elections • Caroline Hazelrig • Matt Nelson • Govern all administrative functions of the Elections Process. • Will be responsible for the enforcement and regulation of the Election Law • Will oversee all election activities, organizing all necessary meetings, debates, campaign manager and candidate meetings. • Will administer a test to all candidates and campaign managers for SGA office covering their knowledge of and application of the SGA Constitution and Code of Laws

6. Chapter 702: Elections Officials • Assistant Directors of Elections • Will provide assistance to the Directors of Elections, sharing their duties and serving as points of contact for specified candidates and Campaigns. • Anna Blanche Young (younga3@auburn.edu) • Leah Hand (handlea@auburn.edu) • Will Eddleman (eddlewd@auburn.edu) • Scott Seitz (rss0002@auburn.edu) • Chris Thomas (cot0002@auburn.edu) • Abigail Jackson (aej0006@auburn.edu)

7. Chapter 703: Schedule of Elections • STAGE 1: Campaign Organization [  Jan. 12] • Selecting a Campaign manager, organizing committee heads, and thinking about strategies and slogans. • The Campaign Staff shall be limited to 6 people (including the Campaign manager). • STAGE 2: Campaign Preparation [Jan.12 -Feb.10] After passing the Election Law test on January 11, you will officially qualify as a candidateand will be able to begin the Campaign Preparation stage of Elections • Scheduling escorts and organization appearances • Holding staff meetings • Sharing platform ideas with members of Campaign Staff • Reserving billboards, windows, and Marquee locations • Distributing volunteer sheets and t-shirt order forms

8. Chapter 703: Schedule of Elections • STAGE 3: Preliminary Campaigning [Feb.10 - 14] • Limited solely to the placement and distribution of Campaign Billboards, Posters, Table-Toppers, Marquees, and Windows at approved locations. • STAGE 4: Formal Campaigning [Feb.14 - 18] • Period between Kickoff and 9:00 PM on Voting Day • Campaign material may be utilized as specified in 708.7. • Limited to the Auburn University campus, the City of Auburn, and designated websites. • Shall NOT occur at places of worship or campus ministries. • May NOT interfere with academic programs, classes, labs, or other University activities, even with the consent of the instructor. • Major Candidates may hold Campaign Kickoffs along with other Major Candidates at the beginning of Formal Campaigning.

9. Chapter 705: Declaration of Candidacy • By signing and submitting a Declaration of Intent form, you stated your intent to Campaign for a Student Government office. • You also agreed to abide by all University policies, campus regulations, and the SGA Constitution and Code of Laws. • In doing so, you’ve assumed all risks associated with the Campaign and have agreed to participate in a “fair and ethical manner.”

10. Chapter 705: Qualifications • All Major Candidates must be enrolled in Auburn University and must have been enrolled at Auburn at least two semesters prior to running for office. • Must not be subject to any disciplinary sanctions during the academic term while campaigning and/or holding office. • Must have and maintain a 2.5 Cumulative GPA. • Must achieve a 90% or better on the Election Law test.

11. Chapter 706: Withdrawal • Any Candidate wishing to withdraw their name as a candidate for an SGA Election must submit a Withdrawal Form to the SGA Office prior to drawing for ballot position. • Candidates wishing to withdraw after the set deadline may be subject to fines and sanctions levied by the Elections Board. • Once a Withdrawal Form has been turned in, the Candidate may not re-enter any SGA Election.

12. Chapter 707: Rights of Candidates • All Candidates have the right to file a grievance against the Directors of Elections to E-BOARD. • All Candidates have the right to appeal the decisions of the Elections Board to the Jurisprudence Committee. • All Candidates have the right to verbally endorse other candidates. However… • Major Candidates may NOT form political parties, share campaign material, or campaign together in any way, with the exception of Kickoffs.

13. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • Campaign Material shall be limited to: • All Campaign Material and Campaign locations must be approved by the Elections Directorate. • *Be sure to know all of 708.7 VERY WELL! • Billboards • Posters • Nametags • Handbills • Table Toppers • T-Shirts • Marquees • Painted Windows • Gimmicks

14. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • With the exception of Gimmicks, all Campaign Material must include your name, the position sought, and the voting date (February 18). • The font size of the voting date must be no smaller than the smallest font size used on that material. • All printed Campaign Material must legibly include the name of the printer. • Approved logos and designs must be consistent on all Campaign Material and specific to the Candidate.

15. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • Major Candidates’ Campaign Material may contain one primary color and one secondary color. • Candidates will select colors in the order determined by a random drawing on Tuesday, January 12. • No two Major Candidates in the same race may have the same primary color and no two Major Candidates shall have the same combination of 1º and 2º colors. • Black and white may only be used minimally (10%) to augment a Candidate’s design. • All campaign material must adhere to the policies and regulations of the AU Office of Trademark and Licensing.

16. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • Major Candidates will be required to submit a Platform of no more than 500 words, as well as a photograph for the Conglomerate Posters. • Candidates should be sure to reserve a time slot with Photographic Services by Jan. 14 • Photographic Services is located in Foy Hall in Room 104. • www.auburn.edu/photo

17. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • Billboards, Posters, Table-Toppers, Marquees, and Painted Windows may be put in place beginning at NoononWed., Feb. 10, as a part of the Preliminary Campaign period. • Billboards may be placed in Private Locations, Public Locations, or at assigned locations on campus. The use of all locations is up to the discretion of the owner. • Billboards will be approved and signed by the Directors of Elections and/or the Assistant Directors of Elections at a location determined by the Candidate on Tuesday, Feb. 9 • Billboards shall be completely covered in transit to its contracted location. • Candidate Posters may be placed in business windows only with the permission of the business’ owner.

18. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • All other Campaign Material shall not be distributed until Formal Campaigning has officially begun (Kickoffs: Sunday, February 14, at 3:00 PM) • All Campaign Material must be removed by 10 PM on Friday, February 19. • Failure to remove all Campaign Material by this time will result in the loss of your Clean-Up Bond. • The act of intentionally removing, mutilating, or destroying Campaign Materials is strictly prohibited. Campaigns that violate this rule will be held accountable by the Elections Board.

19. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • Do NOT: • Place Posters on bulletin boards designated for “Departmental Use Only.” • Use adhesive backed material, except on business windows (with approval). • Affix any Campaign Material other than Posters on Auburn University property. • Attach any Campaign Material to moving objects, statues, steps, sidewalks, trees, or bike racks. People wearing T-shirts and Nametags will be the exception. • Put Campaign Material under doors or in classrooms.

20. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • Mass Media • No form of Mass Media shall be used to solicit votes unless permitted by the Elections Board. • Mass Media includes the following: • E-mail • May only be used to communicate with listed Campaign Staff. • Mailboxes • Public Address Systems • Newspapers • Television • Radio • E-mail • The Internet • Periodicals • Newsletters and Bulletins • Personal Websites

21. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • All Campaigning shall adhere to the Mass Media Policy, found in the official Board of Elections Campaign Packet. • Mass Media Policy (2009-2010) • All Candidates are responsible and subject to sanctions for any Violation committed by members of his or her Campaign Staff. • Example: Any e-mail sent by a second party that is a member of that Candidate’s Campaign Staff

22. Chapter 709: Budgets • Total Campaign expenditures will be limited to: • SGA President $1,500 • SGA Vice President $1,500 • SGA Treasurer $1,500 • Miss Auburn $1,000 • All Candidates must submit an itemized Budget Form to the Directors of Elections along with the actual receipts of expenditures by Noon on February 9, the day preceding the first day of Preliminary Campaigning.

23. Chapter 709: Budgets • Fair Market Value: • Any donated materials and/or professional services must be declared at their present Fair Market Value. • Fair Market Value will be computed as follows: • The Candidate must secure two (2) price estimates of the exact item to be used on the Campaign and submit these estimates with the Budget Record Form. • An average price shall be determined from these two estimates as the Fair Market Value and must be included on the Budget Record Form. • Example…

24. Chapter 709: Budgets • The only item NOT required to be included in the Budget Record Form is T-shirts, unless the T-shirt is given away as a Gimmick. • Sales Tax is to be included as a Campaign expense, and any materials purchased online must also include local sales tax. • If a campaign is deemed over-budget, Candidates will be required to surrender Campaign Materials equaling the amount in which they exceeded their Budget.

25. Chapter 710: Violations • Any action by a Campaign that is not allowed in the Election Law is in violation of the Election Law and will result in sanctions imposed by the Elections Board. • It is the duty of all Campaigns to check the SGA office at 6:00 PM each day of Formal Campaigning to determine if that Campaign has any alleged infractions. • If a Candidate is found in Violation of the SGA Code of Laws, the Board of Elections may take any and all of the following actions: • Levy a fine payable to a charity or assign community service hrs. • Restrict the Candidate from Campaigning • Disqualify the Candidate from the Election

26. Chapter 711: Voting Day • Distributing Campaign Materials and/or directly attempting to garner votes from students inside Auburn University buildings or in sight of campus computer labs is prohibited on Voting Day. • “On-campus” – any academic and/or administrative buildings and/or walkways on Auburn University’s campus, as well as any other designated locations. • While on campus, students are not permitted to use laptops or hand-held devices as a means of directly garnering votes from other students. • Cell phones may ONLY be used to publicize SGA Elections and Voting Day. • There shall be no Campaigning that will mar the dignity of Auburn University or its campus.

27. Chapter 712: Certification • Unless disqualified, the Candidate who receives the most votes for Executive Office (President, Vice President, and Treasurer) will be certified as elected, provided that he or she obtains forty percent (40%) or more of the votes cast in their respective election. • Unless disqualified, the Candidate who received the most votes for Miss Auburn will be certified as elected.

28. Chapter 713: Run-off Election • STAGE 5: Runoff Campaign [Feb.19-22] • Will take place if no Candidate for President, Vice President, or Treasurer achieves at least 40% of the overall vote. • Day 0: Elections results are announced. R[Feb. 18] • Day 1: Formal Campaigning begins at 7:00 AM. F[Feb. 19] • Day 2: Formal Campaigning continues. S[Feb. 20] • Day 3: Formal Campaigning continues. S [Feb. 21] • Day 4: Voting begins at 7:00 AM and ends at 9:00 PM; Election results will be announced at 10:00 PM. M [Feb. 22] • No additional Campaign materials may be produced and no leftover materials may be used. Conglomerate Posters and other specially designed materials will be provided.

29. Chapter 715: Campaign Packet • All necessary forms and supplemental material that may assist students conducting a Campaign can be found in the official Board of Elections Campaign Packet. • In the case of a discrepancy, the Code of Laws overrules the Campaign Packet in all instances. • www.auburn.edu/elections

30. Chapter 717: Definitions • The Definitions chapter serves as a point of reference in an effort to clear up any ambiguous language. • Important Definitions to know: • Campaign (verb and noun) • Formal Campaign • Violation • Campaign Staff vs. Campaign Supporter • Escorts • Political Party • All Campaign Material definitions

31. TIPS FOR SUCCESS • Use your time wisely! • Check your e-mail daily! • Keep up with all dates and deadlines! • Learn the material in the Code of Laws backwards and forwards! Don’t just concentrate on passing the test. • Need Help? E-mail your Elections Directorate contact.