This letter to the editor was written by Hayley Spellman. If you would like to write a letter to the Collegian, send us an email at letters@kstatecollegian.com or visit kstatecollegian.com/contact.
The day has arrived, Wildcats!
It’s me again, back to tell you all why you should vote in this year’s Student Governing Association elections. This message is different though, because it has been a wild few weeks for the Student Body Presidential Campaigns.
As one of the core members on the Kelly-Spencer team, I felt very deflated after the disqualification. Even though it was expected, it left me very unmotivated to continue working on mobilizing students to vote this week.
It’s also clear to me that my feelings are not unique. After talking with my fellow Wildcats, I listened to their concerns and frustrations. Many of them felt unmotivated to even vote at all. All of these feelings are completely understandable.
We should be concerned. We should frustrated. But why?
Less than 20 percent of the student population voted in the SGA elections last year. This term, in my opinion, was the first step in having a student government that is more active and connected to the K-State community. Is it perfect yet? Certainly not.
Going into this week’s election, it is crucial that we continue the trend of having a SGA that is more transparent, more student-issue driven, and more reactive to the challenges our peers encounter. Just because there is only one candidate for Student Body President on the ballot does not mean we should use that as an excuse to not vote for our student representatives.
On today’s ballot, there will be the tickets for Student Body President and Vice President, Student Publications, Union Governing Board, Student Senate and College Councils.
I challenge you all to vote for student leaders that will genuinely represent you, your passions and your concerns. Ask every person you know, “Hey, have you voted yet?”
If that answer is “no,” tell them to go to http://sgaelections.ksu.edu and vote! Elections will be open from Feb. 26 at noon until Feb. 27 at 6 p.m.
Happy voting, and Go ‘Cats!
Hayley Spellman is the chair of the governmental relations committee and a senior in communication studies and political science. The views and opinions expressed in this letter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.
