Elections complaints numerous but minor

About 15 people met in front of the ASUW judicial committee yesterday defending themselves against elections violations. Forty-one violations were filed for minor violations, such as posting lawn signs in flowerbeds and campaigning within 100 feet of elections info booths.

The Elections Administration Committee (EAC) filed all but one of the elections complaints addressed at yesterday's meeting. Ben Medina, a freshman and the EAC chair, was present on behalf of the EAC.

Each complaint was first described by Medina and then defended by the candidate or the candidate's representative .

In previous years, more complaints have been filed between candidates and less by the EAC. The only complaint filed by another candidate was about lawn signs placed in flowerbeds around campus. Placing lawn signs in flowerbeds is a minor violation.

The penalty for a minor violation, according to the ASUW's Elections Policies and Procedures, can be a monetary fine, community service within the HUB or ASUW offices - as determined by the judicial committee; or any combination of the two. Major violations consist of a greater monetary fine and more community service.

Minor violations can turn into major violations if they can be proved to be intentional or, in the case of lawn signs, they are not remedied within 24 hours.

After the election-violations hearing, the judicial committee went into executive session to decide on penalties for the candidates with complains against them.

After the committee decides on punishments, it will be submitted to the ASUW Board of Directors for approval; however, since three board members were candidates in this year's election, the board will have the two-thirds majority to change the committee's decision.

The penalties will be posted Thursday after the board meets.