<p>Just curious what everyone else's perspective is on student government elections- I know they're really annoying and all that, but I was thinking of running to represent my college (polysci/intl majors only) since there are a lot of issues that need to get redressed in that area at my university. How annoying is too annoying and what do you think the most effective tactics at getting people to actually vote are that aren't too "over-the-top", especially for a smaller school that's part of a big state U?</p>
<p>(I think you mean addressed...redressed could sound funny in your campaign speech! "My goal is to redress..."; seriously, though, to redress something implies that there is an inequality or problem of justice... address is a bit more benign.... someone who intends to redress the issues would seem a bit intense to really support, unless you want a revolution or something...)</p>
<p>Well...who are your constituents (the people you'll be repping and who'll be voting for you) -- do you only have to win over other poli-sci/internat'l majors or will the entire school get a vote on you?</p>
<p>The best thing you can do is what you've hopefully been doing the last few yrs -- network and build a GREAT reputation with students. Charisma will help a ton. Being an overall nice person will make people more likely to vote for you; especially if you've done something for them recently.</p>
<p>Since at most universities most students do not vote for student gov (it's not usually as almost forced upon you in college as in HS), you really need a large, committed core group of people who can campaign for you via word of mouth and that will definitely vote for you themselves. (Unfortunately, a lot of people intend to and then forget the day of.)</p>
<p>Signs and posters with your picture and stance will help too, but not nearly as much as word-of-mouth.</p>
<p>Finally, make sure that they use a <em>current</em> picture of you for the ballot. If they use your old student ID photo and you're a jr or sr, you'll be at a significant disadvantage to the freshmen and sophomores who still (probably) look like their photos...</p>
<p>hey! interesting topic, since I was the election commissioner for the elections at my college.
I would say that the most important thing to get people to vote for you is go to senate/government meetings, get involved with some of their projects, prepare a very good speech for the Elections Assembly - in which you clearly show the reasons you are running for that position and what your plans are.
posters are good too, but also, let all the people know that you are running.</p>
<p>I was thinking that you might also write some articles in the school newspaper or I don't know (for example my college has a special edition for elections in which all candidates write a blurb and have their picture shown).
good luck anyways :)</p>
<p>I was elected by our student body to our student government as a senator last spring. Nearly all the other candidates cluttered the whole campus with fliers and signs but I refuse to partake in campaigning that would reducing the beauty of the campus. I had a facebook group and relied on word of mouth for votes. If you want more specific advice or perspective on student government, feel free to message me.</p>
<p>apumic- I definitely understand your differentiation between redress/address, but without getting into too many specifics let's just say some of the issues in my particular school (such as a 1:40 student:faculty ratio, more grad students teaching upper-level classes than tenure track professors, and 2 full-time advisors for 1,500 students) pretty much need to be redressed. And yeah it's only intl/polysci people. Interesting points, especially about the picture- I think I might need to just take a "campaign" one to get the right look. </p>
<p>spitfire- Good points, I'm definitely taking those all to heart. Unfortunately students don't show up to electoral debates and all that. </p>
<p>Brendank- Interesting strategy, I'll be PMing you about the specifics of getting that to work.</p>
<p>I should also mention I'm likely running against perhaps the most experienced "real" political operative at my school, who's worked on countless local and national campaigns. So I'm trying to figure out a way to campaign that's unique and memorable. Thanks for all the advice- any others?</p>