The Student Senate Board of Elections has fined FACE $225 for violating its negative campaigning rules.
An email from board Chairman Chauncey Jackson stated that a photograph posted on Facebook was “defamatory and malicious,” a violation of senate rules against negative campaigning.
The $225 fine must be paid by 8 a.m. May 30, the email states.
FACE presidential candidate Matthew Wallace said in an email response that the fine is “arbitrary and inappropriate” because senate election rules state that negative campaigning is punishable by a fine of $25 to $100.
However, a resolution sponsored by current Student Senate President Jesse Neader earlier this year raised fines for that infraction. Negative campaigning now carries a fine of $100 to $300, according to Student Senate’s Rules and Procedures.
This is the first time the Board of Elections has fined a party in this campaign season, although both parties have previously lodged complaints.
In his email, Wallace stated that if FACE appealed the ruling, it would “find no fairness” because three members of the appeals committee — Neader, Vice President Matthew Beddingfield and Treasurer Patty Roberts — have publicly endorsed RSVP.
Wallace also wrote that RSVP supporter Shawn Silvis engaged in negative campaigning with three different comments on Facebook, including calling Wallace an “idiot” and “jackass.” He asked the board to fine RSVP $675 — $225 for each comment.
Niether Jackson nor Wallace could be reached for comment.
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