Last week the Student Association held a campus-wide election, in which all students were able to participate. The purpose of this election was to determine who would be serving in the Student Association for the 2023-24 academic year as an executive member or a senator. The polls opened on Monday, April 17 and closed Wednesday, April 19.

This year’s election marked an increase in participation, not only from the voting side but the applications for candidacy. Most of the executive positions had multiple candidates running for the same position. This has not been seen since before the pandemic. The election showed voter engagement also increased with 450 ballots cast.

Election results:

President: Three candidates applied for President. The candidate who received the most votes was Samuel Lund with 57.5% of the vote in the race. This year, Lund is the current vice president and was recently voted to receive the award for Distinguished Leadership in the Student Association for the 2022-23 academic year.

Vice president: Two candidates applied for vice president. The candidate with the most votes was Ratsamee Lee with 52.1% of the vote. Lee has served as a senator and chair of the Student Affairs committee for the Student Association this year.

Treasurer: Two candidates applied for treasurer. The candidate with the most votes was Sebastian Tilton with 53.4% of the vote. Tilton does not have any previous experience with the Student Association but was elected to the treasurer position for RHA as well.

PR (Public Relations) coordinator: One candidate applied for PR coordinator. The candidate was Elora Olson with 94.7% of the vote. Olson became a senator this spring semester and, as evidenced by the uncontested election, is a rising star in the Student Association.

ACE (Appeals, Conduct, and Elections) coordinator: Two candidates applied for ACE coordinator. The candidate with the most votes was Hermione Armendariz with 64% of the vote. Armendariz became a senator in the fall of this academic year to fill a vacancy. Her election to this leadership position demonstrates the dedication her fellow students see.

Senators: Six candidates applied for senator seats. Each of the candidates received a large enough margin of the votes to be elected to the positions. Candidates Joseph Anderson and Savanna Busch, both current senators and chairs of the Finance & Special Issues and the Communications & Internal Affairs Committees respectfully, have been reelected. The four new senators are Brock Ward, Avery Anakkala, Shane Rogers, and Cassy Herding. Additionally, there were two write-in candidates who received enough votes to be elected for positions, Patrick Cassidy, and Edmond Taye.

President: Samuel Lund, Marshall

Vice president: Ratsamee Lee, St. Paul

Treasurer: Sebastian Tilton, Minnetrista

PR coordinator: Elora Olson, Victoria

ACE coordinator: Hermione Armendariz, Odessa, TX

Senators:

Joseph Anderson, Springfield

Savanna Busch, Williamsburg, IA

Brock Ward, Appleton, WI

Avery Anakkala, Brainerd

Shane Rogers, Storden

Cassy Herding, Harrisburg, SD

Patrick Cassidy, Rosemount

Edmond Taye, Brooklyn Center