Bindleglass vs. Polk?
J.E.C. removes Boyer from ballot. Pending possible student court appeal
President's race may come down to #2 and #3 finishers.
Just two votes separated Kyle Boyer from the Student Association Presidency. Now there is a high probability that he may not become President after the Joint Election Committee removed the front runner from the ballot after failing to properly disclose campaign expenses. The J.E.C. then found Boyer in violation of campaign finance rules by spending more than the $1,000 limit for Presidential candidates.
Julie Bindleglass who came in second place with 942 votes (23.1%) was slated to face Boyer in a run off election March 11 and 12. Boyer who garnered 1630 votes (39.9%) was confident he would win the run off, going so far as to claim a mandate from students.
If the decision stands Bindleglass will face Sophomore Nick Polk in a run off election set for March 25-26. Polk who garnered 16.7% of the vote tells WRGW he is, "Saddened by the circumstances but I look forward to continuing to share my ideas with the student body."
A special meeting of the student association on March 10 saw the postponement of the election. A student unaffiliated with either campaign had filed allegations of campaign violations with the J.E.C. and enough probable cause was found for the S.A. to delay the election. Had Boyer been removed from the ballot within 24 hours before election postponement Bindleglass would have ascended to the Presidency by default despite coming in a distant second in the initial election.
The winner of the March 25 - 26 election will join Executive Vice President Jason Lifton who won a decisive victory with 2251 or 58% of the vote. Students may vote online at http://www.gwelection.com
- Jesse Regis
photo credits: Jenn Neuner, WRGW
