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Laptops barred from SGA runoff election campaigns

By Geronimo Rodriguez
Senior Staff Writer

In an attempt to discourage candidates from setting up impromptu polling locations, the Student Government Association Election Commission will forbid Student Voice and UH 4 U party members from using laptop computers to solicit votes during the two-day SGA vice presidential runoff election.

"It'll provide for a smoother election process," Assistant Election Commissioner Jackie Thomas said. "That's one of the loopholes in the Election Code we're trying to fix."

Student Voice's Alysia Minor will oppose UH 4 U's Matt Bell during the runoff, with polls open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. today and Thursday. Designated polling areas will be the University Center's Tejas Room, the UC Satellite's Claudette Room, computer labs at the Moody Towers and the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center and a computer set-up at the Social Work Building.

Students can also log on to the election Web site www.studentelection.uh.edu to cast their vote from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.

However, unlike the general election, party members should not use laptop computers to set up impromptu polling locations or solicit votes from students.

During the SGA general election March 10 and 11, a number of complaints were filed against Student Voice and UH 4 U party members who set up de facto polling locations at the Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall Breezeway. The commission punished the parties by forbidding them to campaign at the Breezeway, a restriction that will be enforced during the runoff.

Another complaint cited some Student Voice members improperly using laptops from a computer lab at the Bauer College of Business, but the commission did not find the members in violation of the Election Code.

Election officials and numerous party members have expressed their concern with the Election Code and the fact that it might not be suitable for an online election. For now, Thomas said he hopes forbidding laptops is for the best, but added that the code should be revised before next year's election -- a sentiment shared by current SGA President Dawona Miller.

"I've been against online elections because it's such a complex issue," Miller said March 12, the day the general election results were announced. "It's so easy to manipulate it, and I believe there isn't any proper checks and balances with the process."

The runoff election results will be announced Thursday evening at a time yet to be determined, the commission said.
 

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