Upcoming Debates:
Presidential/VP debate: 8 p.m. Feb. 22 in Teachers College Room 121
All-slate debate: 8 p.m. Feb. 29 in Cardinal Hall in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center
An estimated 10 percent of students enrolled at Ball State have participated in elections, according to previous Daily News reporting.
The turnout last year was 3,532 students, up from the 2,871 students who voted in 2014. The 2013 election saw 4,985 students vote. In 2012, 2,199 students voted.
Jack Hesser, SGA president, said SGA is doing the things below to try to combat the issue this year.
- The Atlas slate has been heavily involved all year and stayed on top of its platform points
- Monthly news will be posted during campaigning season regarding what senators are doing and when SGA events are
- Engaging with students on social media so people know about debates, who is running and the platform points
James Wells, presidential nominee for Summit, said he plans to go back to the basics and campaign face-to-face with students to give back what Ball State has given him.
“[We will be] getting out there, meeting students, shaking hands,” Wells said. “Because when you think about it, me coming from Gary, Indiana — one of the cities that used to be the shining example for Indiana — I would say being at Ball State has been an amazing opportunity, and it’s like I know now it’s my time to give back to Ball State for how much they gave back to me.”
Matt King, presidential nominee for 18, said he thinks the slates' platform points will draw students into the election.
“I know Casey [Miller, Elections Board Chairman] is a big proponent in changing [voter turn out], and it's our job to change that and we have very concrete ideas,” King said. “Our platform points are very strong ideas that we think students will care about, and time will tell.”
Miller also said a big priority of the board is to make sure students understand elections to be able to vote.
“The biggest goal I have is to just get as many students involved as possible and to have as many students as possible really understand the importance of what these SGA elections are here to determine,” Miller said.
Overall, SGA members are trying to get more students to care about what’s going on. By doing that, they hope to gain more votes.
The presidential and vice presidential debate is at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 in Teachers College Room 121, and the all-slate debate is at 8 p.m. Feb. 29 in Cardinal Hall in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.
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