[temara.brown]

After a long day's worth of ballot counting and votes from 22% of the student population, the results are in and it's

Mary Koziol!

The Coca-Cola referendum results have yet to be determined and will be posted as soon as they are available.

The following outlines the results. Counting was done through the preferrential voting method.

I only followed this with the info from MacInsiders... but this isn't at all what I expected..

w00t!

Congrats Mary (and her campaign team)!

Congrats to Mary and all candidates and their teams. It's a rough 3 weeks for all of those involved - enjoy Charity Ball and get some rest!

It just shows that Macinsiders may not be a good measure of the pulse of the campus.

Stepping out of the MSU office about 15 minutes ago, I felt like I just left a strange world... a world where the concept of time did not exist and all thoughts in the mind were created from a monotoneous AEKKP sound, repeatedly and repeatedly until words became mere syllables.

I would like to say that the ballot counting went very clean and everyone was in good spirit throughout the night and day. It was a great experience with a great outcome.

My congradulations go out to Mary, her supporters, and to all students of Mac!

Also, a thank you goes out to all the candidates for their great efforts in this election.

So when's the first recount?

Chyeeeaaahhhh Boiiii

Originally Posted by DavidR

So when's the first recount?

There is no need for a recount. All the ballots were counted systematically and effectively. All of us as a team were on top of things the whole time.

I would also like to say that the voter turnout has increased quite a bit from last year. This year saw 4365 undergraduate students hit the polls to vote for their future MSU President- an increase from 12.5% last year to just under 23.5%. Is that great or what!

What do you guys think caused the increased turnout? More advertising for candidates?

Originally Posted by Alvand

There is no need for a recount. All the ballots were counted systematically and effectively. All of us as a team were on top of things the whole time.

I was just making a joke, but that is good to hear.

Originally Posted by JillfromChil

What do you guys think caused the increased turnout? More advertising for candidates?

I think the increase in turnout for one comes from candidates engaging students to want to vote. Candidates had great platforms, reached out to students, and actively promoted themselves and their fellow candidates throughout the campaign period.

Also, campus media did great jobs following the election period. The Sil had published articles promoting and summarizing the MSU Presidential election during the campaign period. MacInsiders was also excellent in giving candidates and students an avenue to express their thoughts on the electoral process. Important to note too, that this year the Elections Committee allowed candidates to campaign on Facebook. This had a profound effect on student's awareness of the election. Also, all candidates had websites that explained their platform points and what kind of person they were like.

It is very worthy to note the GREAT job the Election Committee did, especially the Chief Returning Officer Jon Sheiding and the Deputy Returning Officer Nick Shorten in executing a flawless campaign. Debates were active well attended, day-to-day activities during the election period went well, and polling stations ran smoothly. Their hard work and leadership had a direct effect on the success of this election.

Most importantly, YOU caused the increased turnout. You were active in finding out information on candidates, talking about the election to friends, and scheduling time to go vote. And for that, I applaud you.

Congrats, Mary! I'm glad the number of voters went up as well, 12.5% last year was just.. horrible. So for it to almost double in one year is great!