Spring Elections Orientation MINOR CANDIDATES

1. Spring Elections OrientationMINOR 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 • Preliminary Campaigning [Feb.10 - 14] • Limited solely to the placement and distribution of Campaign Posters at approved locations. • Formal Campaigning [Feb.14 - 18] • Sunday, 2/14, @ 3:00PM 9:00 PM on Voting Day (2/18) • 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.

8. Chapter 704: Elected Offices • School Officers (President & Vice-President) and Senators are classified as Minor Candidates. • The number of senators representing each college or school shall be proportional to that college or school’s enrollment.[TOTAL: 34] • At Large (5) • Agriculture (1) • Architecture (2) • Business (5) • Education (2) • Engineering (4) • Forestry (1) • Human Sciences (1) • Liberal Arts (6) • Nursing School (1) • Pharmacy School (1) • Science & Math (3) • Vet School (1) • Grad School (1)

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 • Prospective Minor Candidates must be enrolled at Auburn during the term of elections. • 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 • Minor Candidates have the right to form Political Parties, subject to approval by the Directors of Elections. • Use of a party’s name is up to the discretion of the previous year’s party chair. In order to use a former existing party name, written consent from that party’s chair must be submitted. Any party name that was not used in the previous year’s election may be claimed by any candidates and does not require consent. • In order to qualify, the party must fill out and submit a completed Party Form to the Directors of Elections. [pg. 14 in packet] • Have the right to verbally endorse other candidates. • Have the right to file a grievance against the Directors of Elections to E-BOARD. • Have the right to appeal the decisions of the Elections Board to the Jurisprudence Committee.

13. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • Campaign Material shall be limited to: • All Campaign Material must be approved by the Elections Directorate. • 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. • Posters • Handbills • Gimmicks

14. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • All printed Campaign Material must legibly include the name of the printer. • All campaign material must adhere to the policies and regulations of the AU Office of Trademark Management and Licensing. • Approved logos and designs must be consistent on all Campaign Material and specific to the Candidate. • Minor Candidates will also be required to submit a Platform of 100 words or less.

15. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • Candidate Posters may be put in place beginning at NoononWednesday, February 10, as part of the Preliminary Campaign period. • The distribution of Posters on bulletin boards for Minor Candidates shall be limited to the respective building(s) of the college or school to which the Candidate is seeking election. • Campaign Locations • Minor Candidates will be limited to speaking to their school/college during meetings which occur during Formal Campaigning with the approval of the president of that school/college.

16. Chapter 708: Campaign Material • Handbills and Gimmicks shall not be distributed until Formal Campaigning has officially begun. (Sunday, February 14, at 3:00 PM) • All Campaign Material must be removed by 10 PM on Friday, February 19. • Failure to do so will result in a penalty or fine as determined by the Elections Board • 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.

17. 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. • Put Campaign Material under doors or in classrooms.

18. 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: • All Campaigning shall adhere to the Mass Media Policy, found in the official Campaign Packet. • Mass Media Policy (2009-2010) <Insert Link> • Mailboxes • Public Address Systems • Newspapers • Television • Radio • E-mail • The Internet • Periodicals • Newsletters and Bulletins • Personal Websites

19. Chapter 709: Budgets • Total Campaign expenditures will be limited to: • At Large Senator $250 • School/College Senator $175 • School/College Officer $125 • 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.

20. 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…

21. Chapter 709: Budgets • The prices of Gimmicks are to be included in the budget. • 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.

22. Chapter 710: Violations • Any action by a Candidate 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

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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 • Political Party • All Campaign Material definitions

26. 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.