SGA elections see fewer independents

SGA elections are always highly anticipated and always hard-fought, but somehow all too predictable.

Candidates chosen by the Machine, a secret coalition of traditionally white fraternities and sororities, have a distinct advantage in the elections, and most independent candidates do not have the money or support necessary to defeat their Machine-backed opponents.

It's a disheartening obstacle, and this year's elections may be reflecting it - only three of the seven executive offices up for election are being contested between greek and independent candidates. The other four offices are being sought after by unopposed greek candidates.

Past elections have featured a small but vocal base of independents participating in elections, normally with candidates working together to support each other's cause like the Students' Choice Ticket from the 2007 spring elections. Despite all that organization, however, their candidates met the same end as most independents from the past: defeat.

This year's lack of participation by independents may be tied into those past losses, SGA President R.B. Walker said.

"I think that students rejected the Students' Choice Ticket so handily in last year's election that it might have made this year a time for some leaders to reevaluate what's going on in campus politics," he said.

Walker said there is no correct explanation for why so few executive candidates entered this year's race, but historically there have been "ebbs and flows" in the number of independents who turn out.

"I think there are good candidates running from all angles this year and students should be satisfied with that," he said.

Adam Rankin, now a UA alumnus, was one of three independent candidates who ran against 2006-2007 SGA President Justice Smyth in the spring 2006 elections. Rankin

did not discount the influence of the Machine, but said he believed qualified independent candidates were as viable as their opponents.

"It takes someone who's involved; it takes someone who knows the administration. It's not enough to be greek or be independent - you have to be involved and you have to know the administrators," he said. "When I ran for president, we had a very organized team and were funded."

Only seven independent candidates have won the SGA presidency, the last one being John Merrill in 1986.

SGA presidential candidate Cason Kirby, who is a member of a fraternity, said he's not sure why there aren't as many independent candidates running this year, but is disappointed.

"I think when you have more candidates it fosters more debate," Kirby said.

He said he doesn't think the four uncontested executive races represent a waning interest in the SGA among independents, but might be from a lack of desire to seek elected positions this year.

Zac Riddle, who ran two unsuccessful SGA presidential campaigns as an independent in 2004 and 2005, does not attribute his losses to the work of any secret society.

"I don't think it's an easy race, but [independents have] an equal chance," Riddle said. "The truth is that there are a lot more independents than greeks on campus."

Riddle said apathy was the main problem, citing low voter turnout in the 2005 race.

"It's a shame. In the end, the folks who win are the ones who get people out to vote," he said.

Forrest During, a sophomore majoring in health sciences, said the Machine "basically runs this school. Greeks run the University."

During said independents have a chance in the elections, but not as good as the Machine candidates.

"They have all of the sororities and fraternities telling you to back them," he said.

David Rogers, a sophomore majoring in human environmental sciences, said he thought the Machine had too much influence, but independent candidates had the ability to win voters and elections.

"Everybody has the same chance to go to the debates," he said.

Rogers had not voted, but said he plans to mark a ballot.

"I should, because I'm a student and the president of the SGA has a lot of say over what happens on campus," he said.

Kendra Key, an independent candidate for vice president of External Affairs, echoed Riddle's opinion on student apathy affecting elections.

"There are over 24,000 students on this campus, and in the last election, only 23 percent voted," Key said.

During and Rogers both said they sometimes feel that voting in campus politics doesn't accomplish much.

"I could be one of them," During said, referring to students that are apathetic when it comes to student government.

Rogers said he "definitely" considers himself apathetic as well.

Bonaventure Akinlosotu, a sophomore majoring in management information systems, said ultimately it did not matter who won the election.

"No matter who wins, the same stuff will get done," he said.

Akinlosotu said predictability represents a problem for SGA elections.

"It's bad," he said. "A lot of things are already decided."