Florida A&M University’s Electoral Committee held a Zoom meeting on Wednesday discussing what to expect regarding the upcoming spring elections, as they announced everything regarding the 2021 spring election will be virtual.
Electoral Commissioner Ryanne Taylor discussed some important dates concerning the election. The Declaration of Candidacy will be between Feb. 1 and 3, the candidates’ rules meeting will be held on Feb. 5, dead days will be Feb. 8 to 12, the declaration speeches will be given on Feb. 12, the campaign period will be between Feb. 15 and 23, the official voting day will be Feb. 23 and runoff voting day will be Feb. 25, if necessary.
Candidates are encouraged to get any campaign material approved during dead days.
“The EC will only approve material if the candidate that is running sends it from their FAMU email,” said Taylor. “We will not answer anything that comes from Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo; if it’s not your FAMU email, it’s not going to be recognized.”
Students can run for the position of Miss Florida A&M University, Mister Florida A&M University, Queen of Orange and Green, King of Orange and Green, Senior Attendant, Junior Attendant, Sophomore Attendant, SGA President, SGA Vice President, Electoral Commissioner, Junior Senator, Senior Class President, Senior Class Vice President, Junior Class President, Junior Class Vice President, Sophomore Class President or Sophomore Class Vice President.
Requirements for each available position are on the SGA website.
Delyn Owen-Robinson discussed the pageant practice and recording schedules. The pageant will premiere on Youtube on Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m. Pageant practices will begin on Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m via Zoom.
Practice will continue from Feb. 9 through 12 at 6:00 p.m via Zoom. Recording for the pageant will take place from Feb. 10 to 12 and Feb. 15 to 17 at 5:00 p.m. All of the recordings will take place in Lee Hall. If candidates are not needed to record on a specific day, they will be attending practice on Zoom.
“We have to adhere to Covid guidelines, so we will be splitting you guys up to ensure everyone is remaining safe,” said Owen-Robinson.
Owen-Robinson also discussed the attire for the pageant, so that candidates can begin to prepare.
For the opening attire, candidates must wear denim and white chic. Candidates for KOG and QOG, and Mister and Miss FAMU must be in soul train attire.
All candidates will need to wear business professional for the business attire portion and are allowed to use a prop that represents their career.
For the talent portion, candidates are allowed to wear anything that will enhance their performance. No additional people will be allowed to assist with their talent.
Candidates will also need a floor-length gown or formal suit for the formal wear and any vintage orange and green attire for the FAMU spirit portion.
All students will receive an electronic ballot through their FAMU email on Feb. 23.
“All students will receive a class ballot per the registrar’s office,” said Taylor. “It is not up to the EC what ballot you get, so if you have senior credits you will receive a senior ballot.”
The EC Office will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and can be contacted via Zoom or email at student.elections@famu.edu.
The EC will host a debriefing every day at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom, which will be open to everyone.