2008 Woodie Awards
'Tis the season
Spring election candidates find it tough to abide by stringent campaign rules
Christine Thomasos
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News
To ensure a fair election process, Florida A&M University's spring election candidates must follow a strict set of rules. However, some candidates said certain rules leave too much room for error.
The Electoral Commission's Policies and Procedures for this year's elections include 25 rules that candidates must follow to avoid disqualification. To make sure these rules are followed, candidates are required to sign a "Statement of Agreement" to officially accept the Electoral Commission's codes and policies.
For student body presidential candidate Gallop Franklin, 20, the standards set by the commission are too high. Franklin, a third-year pharmacy student, found fault in rules that ban campaign materials from selected areas because they can be sabotaged.
"The election code is flawed in a sense because individuals on other campaign teams can take some of your flyers into (a precinct), said Franklin, a Tallahassee native. "You can't completely make sure it doesn't happen."
Shawn Whitehorn, 20, a Mr. FAMU candidate from Indianapolis agreed with Franklin, but said the appeal process protects the candidates.
"That possibility (of misconduct) is definitely present," Whitehorn said. "If you feel like you're being treated unfairly, you can just state the facts and go through the appeal process."
Senate President Mellori Lumpkin, 20, is campaigning to become the Student Government Association's next vice president. She said the Electoral Commission is trying to prevent any mishaps.
"The Electoral Commission is trying to be more proactive this year, said Lumpkin, who is from Bainbridge, Ga. "They started taking pictures where posters were originally posted."
When it comes to campaign procedures, Franklin said he does not understand why FAMU's election rules do not coincide with city and state elections.
"In city and state elections, you can walk into a precinct with your shirt on and it's fine," he said.
The Electoral Commission's Policies and Procedures for this year's elections include 25 rules that candidates must follow to avoid disqualification. To make sure these rules are followed, candidates are required to sign a "Statement of Agreement" to officially accept the Electoral Commission's codes and policies.
For student body presidential candidate Gallop Franklin, 20, the standards set by the commission are too high. Franklin, a third-year pharmacy student, found fault in rules that ban campaign materials from selected areas because they can be sabotaged.
"The election code is flawed in a sense because individuals on other campaign teams can take some of your flyers into (a precinct), said Franklin, a Tallahassee native. "You can't completely make sure it doesn't happen."
Shawn Whitehorn, 20, a Mr. FAMU candidate from Indianapolis agreed with Franklin, but said the appeal process protects the candidates.
"That possibility (of misconduct) is definitely present," Whitehorn said. "If you feel like you're being treated unfairly, you can just state the facts and go through the appeal process."
Senate President Mellori Lumpkin, 20, is campaigning to become the Student Government Association's next vice president. She said the Electoral Commission is trying to prevent any mishaps.
"The Electoral Commission is trying to be more proactive this year, said Lumpkin, who is from Bainbridge, Ga. "They started taking pictures where posters were originally posted."
When it comes to campaign procedures, Franklin said he does not understand why FAMU's election rules do not coincide with city and state elections.
"In city and state elections, you can walk into a precinct with your shirt on and it's fine," he said.
Be the first to comment on this story