GSB candidates encourage students to vote

Roughly+30+people+attended+the+Government+of+the+Student+Body+election+results+presentation+on+March+7%2C+2014+at+the+Memorial+Union.

Kelby Wingert/Iowa State Daily

Roughly 30 people attended the Government of the Student Body election results presentation on March 7, 2014 at the Memorial Union.

Michaela Ramm

Government of the Student Body presidential hopefuls are gearing up for a final campaign run before the election March 3 and 4.

Students can vote at vote.iastate.edu or at any of the polling booths around campus.

The polling booths will be located at UDCC, Conversations and Parks Library.

The UDCC and Conversations polling booths will be open from 10am to 2pm and 7 to 11pm on both days.

The polling booth at Parks Library will be open both days from 1 to 5pm. 

The first 200 students who vote in person at any of the polling locations will receive $1 dining vouchers from the GSB public relations committee.

In past years, voter turnout for the GSB presidential elections has been low. Last year, about 7 percent of students voted in the GSB elections.

This year, Speaker Gabe Walsh said he is hopeful that rate will reach 15 percent.

“I think from someone who is not involved from elections, but someone who’s seen a couple GSB elections, I think this is the best two campaigns at the same time we’ve ever had at my time at Iowa State,” Walsh said.

Walsh said the culture of this election is much different than it has been in the past.

“Their activity level has been exceptional,” Walsh said. “I think it’s going to be the best turnout we’ve ever seen.”

Dan Breitbarth, GSB presidential hopeful, said he would be shocked if the voting turnout is not higher.

“[Megan Sweere and I] have been specifically trying to draw attention, not just to ourselves but to voting in general to try to get the turnout a bit higher,” Breitbarth said.

Both presidential candidates believe voting is important in order for students to choose a president who will make a difference on campus.

Amanda Loomis, GSB presidential candidate, also said voting is important because the executive president is going to bring projects that will affect the student body.

“In order to get what they really want out of the Government of the Student Body, they really need to be sure they’re getting involved and that they’re making sure they’re voting for who they want to represent them,” Loomis said.

Breitbarth said he and his running mate want to fix as many of the problems students face as possible.

“We want to make sure the students have proper advocates for what they need [and] what they want,” Breitbarth said. “We want to make sure their voices are heard.”

Loomis said her experience in the Executive Cabinet gives her a major advantage.

“Being in cabinet the past two years has taught me about the different projects the cabinet does and how you can really function from there,” Loomis said. “It’s a huge advantage for myself and I’m excited to bring out all those projects to help the student body.”

Walsh said he believes it is important for students to vote because GSB is dealing with $2.5 million. Students can utilize this money by reaching out to GSB for funding.

“Any big, worthy initiative that people want money to do something with on this campus, student government is a great resource,” Walsh said. “We have the resources to be able to help students and guide students and empower students.”