Elections have traditionally created turmoil in some way for Iowa State’s Government of the Student Body.

This year is no exception, although the campaigns have not even officially begun.

The latest GSB saga involves Brad Lozan, suspended director of information for GSB President Adam Gold.

Lozan sent about 1,000 letters to students informing them of his campaign to run for next year’s GSB presidency, an apparent violation of early campaigning rules.

Lozan says he hadn’t completed the registration process required for students wishing to run for the executive office when he sent out the letters, so therefore, the rules didn’t apply.

GSB election officials say that’s no excuse. They’re probably right.

But the rules, quite frankly, stink.

The GSB election this year will be held over three days, Feb. 25-27. Candidates can campaign from Feb. 10-24.

That’s odd.

Why should candidates who want to work hard to get elected not be allowed to do so? How can the Elections Commission tell someone when they can campaign?

And why are candidates allowed only a two-week period to campaign?

What’s more,what does it mean to campaign anyway?

There is certainly no way to prevent a likely candidate from telling people he or she is planning to run. By simply picking a running mate a candidate is “campaigning.”

Is it only an early campaigning violation when a candidate sends out a mailing? That doesn’t seem fair.

State and national elections have no set time for candidates to campaign. Why should a university election?

Granted, Lozan shouldn’t have written his letters on mock GSB letterhead, which gives the appearance that GSB is endorsing him, but his mailing has brought to light some pretty ridiculous rules.

Ironically, the controversy itself likely makes Lozan the early front-runner. He’s already in the news, and sometimes even bad press is good press.