Voters might find today's historic Student Senate ballot a bit confusing.
Instead of identifying candidates by the name on campaign literature, something arguably guaranteed by the senate, some people will be known by their full or given name in the first-ever online Student Senate election.
So instead of Bailey, it will be Donald Richard, Catherine instead of Callie, Sarah instead of Sally.
There's maybe two people who know that my first name is Donald
said Bailey Miles, or Donald Richard Miles, Honors Tutorial College Student Senate candidate.
It's a little bit of a concern.
In addition to sorting through the names, voters also will be asked to evaluate Ohio University President Roderick McDavis, including an up-or-down vote to indicate their level of confidence in him.
Graduate Student Senate President Dominic Barbato, who said he will check the box for no confidence said the vote is important in gauging student opinion. He added that the effect of the vote will be determined by the turnout.
Meanwhile, the situation with the confusing names was discovered yesterday when candidates had their first opportunity to see the ballot. Some candidates immediately called Janelle Nichols, chair of the elections board.
Nichols said she contacted David Hannum, a web analyst and programmer in the IT department, who told her there was nothing he could do. The elections board enters the candidates' OAK ID and the system automatically displays the name as it appears in the registrar's office.
Hannum and Brice Bible, chief information officer, did not return calls seeking comment.
I know they're upset Nichols said. I keep apologizing. I can't do anything about it.
The problem also has angered presidential candidates Tim Vonville and Will Klatt. Both of their full names will appear on the ballot.
Our whole campaigns have been based around our name recognition
Klatt said. It definitely hurts our ability to communicate with voters.
Some of the candidates and Nichols are hoping a recent change might solve the problem. Nichols added their nicknames to the column in which their party appears. While their full name is displayed, voters still will be able to see the nickname.
I don't think it will have that much effect on the election
Nichols said. I'm hoping it works out OK.
On a document the candidates sign when they formally declare their campaign, they can indicate how they want their name to appear on the ballot. The candidates later review ballots for accuracy, as mandated by election rules.
Klatt said that because the rules call for accuracy in the ballot, and because the candidates are allowed to choose how they want their names to appear, that the rules have been broken.
The election board has done a very poor job
Klatt said.
Morgan Allen, Student Senate president, said that no rules have been broken. She is not on the election board.It is unfortunate
and it's something we're hoping we can change next year.
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Sean Gaffney
