Results for Associated Students of Portland State University elections were scheduled to be announced this afternoon at a meeting at PSU’s Simon Benson House.
The announcement of new ASPSU elected positions was delayed in the face of a scheduled rehearing regarding last week’s elections committee decision.
Last week’s decision disqualified three members of the Students for a Better Tomorrow, Today platform from presidential, vice presidential and Student Fee Committee candidacy.
Following the decision, a letter was submitted by former judicial review board and elections board members to PSU’s Dean of Student Life Michele Toppe, citing several issues that warrant an elections committee rehearing with the affected students.
“Throughout the process we’ve had tons of infraction requests that have come our way,” said elections committee representative Adam Wunische at this afternoon’s announcement. “One of these cases in particular, unfortunately, is ongoing.
“Because of the implications of that case, we are unable to announce who won these elections today,” Wunische said.
The elections committee was able to announce the approval of three constitutional changes that were on the ballot. Students have voted to add an international affairs director to ASPSU.
The previous metropolitan affairs director has been voted to be replaced with the sustainability affairs director, and student voters also approved the addition of another senator to ASPSU. This brings the senator count to 16.
PSU President Wim Wiewel also spoke at today’s meeting. He thanked members of ASPSU, student candidates and the elections committee for their work in this election to increase voter turnout. Last year 521 students voted, and the final number this year came in at 1,484 votes.
“Taking on the responsibility to represent the students of Portland state, which is such an incredibly diverse—and at times somewhat rowdy—group is a huge task,” Wiewel said. “You’re bound to make some people, at the very least, unhappy and in some cases, even mad and angry.
“I was so thrilled to see that we had multiple slates this year who are obviously—whatever their differences may be—very committed to the well-being of the university and the students of this institution,” Wiewel added. “I hope we can resolve this very quickly.”
The elections committee has scheduled a rehearing for the students in question for 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 29.
