The Electoral Commission met Thursday with members from the Legislative and Judicial branches of FAMU’s student government to review the elections that took place during the 2017-2018 school year.
The students discussed anything that could be fixed or changed to the upcoming fall and spring elections as far as electronic voting. Electoral Commissioner Mikael Trigg chaired the meeting and sought input and suggestions.
“As a whole I feel like the elections did run very smoothly, I lobbied like crazy to make sure that they were on time and it is really good to see that my work was not in vain,” said Trigg.
As each year goes by timing is always an issue when it comes to voting.
“Timing was very precious this election. One thing I promised because my elections was a little late in April I got elected I promise to not subject the campus to the same thing that they have seen in the past,” Trigg said.
Electronic voting for the campus is regularly brought up because of how low the number of votes come in each semester.
“It is always a good idea to advance technology wise, me being an electoral commissioner and not precinct supervisor I can always attest to how hard it is to implement so it is definitely making sure all the documents are up to date. It’s making sure everyone is on the same tune so I feel like that should be our main focus first, then electronic voting will fall into place when we have everything updated,” said Trigg.
Bria Jefferson, a former electoral commissioner, said she would like see electronic voting.
“I mean yes, people do not need to be up here in OSA till three o’clock in the morning when they have classes. We are students first. No one needs to be up here no later than eight o’clock to be quite honest,” said Jefferson.
Trigg acknowledged that decisions need to be made.
“Everything electronically has a potential to crash, but I feel like given the rate that our EIT program or students and workers are very efficient, I feel like whatever fashion we do choose definitely look into how productive the tech support is will be a factor in determining the program,” he said.
The point system also was discussed, as some wondered if it should be taken away or if it is being taken lightly.
Candidates and supporters frequently come to OSA reporting rules that are not being followed by certain individuals during campaign season.
“There is definitely a purpose in the point system. You just simply need rules. Some of them are kind of irrational but I’m positive everything on that point system had a purpose,” said Jefferson.
Trigg added: “I do believe a land without order is a land in chaos so there are some parts of the point system that we cannot do away with.”