Darsham Gonzalez And Kade Salzer Win SG Presidency Despite Popular Vote Disqualification

Chloe Fitzgerald

4 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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The Disqualification of the Popular Vote: Understanding the Controversy

The core of the controversy lies in the disqualification of the initial popular vote count. Allegations of widespread voter irregularities, specifically the suspected use of multiple accounts to cast votes for a particular candidate, triggered an investigation by the Election Committee. This investigation, which involved reviewing thousands of ballots and interviewing numerous students, culminated in a formal hearing. The committee ultimately concluded that sufficient evidence existed to invalidate the original results, citing a violation of Article VII, Section 3, of the Student Government Constitution, which prohibits multiple votes per student.

• Specifics of the rule broken: Article VII, Section 3 of the Student Government Constitution explicitly states that each student is entitled to only one vote in the SG elections. The investigation revealed that numerous accounts were linked to the same IP addresses, strongly suggesting a systematic effort to inflate vote counts.

• Timeline of events:

  • October 26th: Election Day.
  • October 27th: Preliminary results announced, showing a different winning candidate.
  • October 28th-30th: Election Committee investigation begins.
  • November 1st: Formal hearing convened.
  • November 2nd: Popular vote declared invalid.

• Key players involved: The Election Committee, chaired by Professor Anya Sharma, played a central role, along with student representatives from various organizations who acted as observers.

• Reactions from students and student organizations: Student reaction was swift and sharply divided. While some groups protested the decision, citing a lack of transparency and due process, others expressed support for the committee's actions, arguing that upholding the integrity of the election was paramount.

Gonzalez and Salzer's Path to Victory: Examining the Electoral Process

Despite the popular vote disqualification, Darsham Gonzalez and Kade Salzer emerged victorious. The Student Government Constitution outlines a contingency plan for such scenarios, leading to a re-vote among the top three candidates based on a ranked-choice voting system. In this second round of voting, Gonzalez and Salzer secured a combined majority.

• Number of votes received: While the original vote counts are under dispute due to irregularities, the second round saw Gonzalez and Salzer obtain 58% of the votes.

• Number of votes received by other candidates: The other top two candidates received 22% and 20% of the votes in the second round respectively.

• Details of the electoral system used: The ranked-choice voting system allowed students to rank candidates in order of preference. This system is intended to ensure that the winning candidate has broad support.

• Explanation of how the win occurred: The disqualification of the popular vote led to a revote under a ranked-choice voting system which eventually led to Gonzalez and Salzer securing the presidency.

Student Reaction and the Aftermath: Analyzing the Public Response

The aftermath has been marked by significant student unrest. Protests have been staged outside the Student Union, with some students demanding the resignation of the Election Committee and calling for electoral reforms. Others have expressed support for the decision, highlighting the importance of maintaining fair and transparent elections.

• Summary of student protests or support: Multiple protests took place, ranging from peaceful demonstrations to larger-scale rallies demanding greater transparency. Counter-protests in support of the Election Committee's actions were also present.

• Statements from student leaders or organizations: Student body presidents from different organizations have publicly voiced their opinions on the matter, creating an intense debate on campus.

• Potential changes to future election processes: Calls for electoral reform are growing louder, with students demanding clearer rules and increased transparency in the future election process. A review of the existing electoral system is expected.

• Long-term impact on student trust in the SG: The controversy is likely to erode trust in the SG among a segment of the student population, potentially affecting future participation in student government.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the Gonzalez and Salzer SG Presidency Win

The controversial election of Darsham Gonzalez and Kade Salzer as SG presidents will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the institution. The disqualification of the popular vote, the subsequent re-election, and the significant student reaction have all contributed to this contentious outcome. The legacy of this event will depend heavily on how the Student Government addresses the underlying issues of transparency and accountability raised by this controversy. What are your thoughts on this controversial election? Share your opinion in the comments below and let's discuss the future of Student Government elections and potential electoral reforms related to the Darsham Gonzalez and Kade Salzer presidency.