With voting set for March 28 and 29, the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union is preparing for elections for dozens of positions in next year’s USSU executive and University Students’ Council.

In years past, the USSU only administered the elections for the executive positions, but following this year’s annual general meeting it will also assume responsibility for 23 other positions comprising the various colleges and student groups on campus that have representatives on council.

At press time, there were eight prospective candidates for the four USSU executive positions: president, vice-president student affairs, vice-president academic and vice-president operations and finance.

The College of Dentistry did not have any prospective candidates by press time. This will likely necessitate a by-election in the fall.

After passing academic checks, candidates can begin campaigning March 19. All voting takes place on PAWS over the two election days, with specific ballots available depending on students’ colleges. Students who self-identified in the university census as aboriginal or international students will have those additional positions to vote for.

Given the number of races, the USSU will also reinstate a former practice of setting up public computers for students to vote on election days.

“We have about 10 locations that we’re going to have computers set up in the college buildings, just to increase turnout and the visual there to remind them,” said USSU communications manager Jason Ventnor.

The last change in this year’s USSU election is a quirky one. The names on students’ electronic ballots will be arranged randomly rather than alphabetically, following a successful motion at February’s special general meeting that argued names that are alphabetically first on ballots would see a boost from students simply clicking through the screens on PAWS.

So much for Aaron Abraham’s chances.

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