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Show THE FORUM - MARCH 7 21,2012 for students would have been the disqualification of the Raoux campaign. Raoux said that he addressed all issues that were brought to his attention. There wasnt a conspiracy to elect me, thats outrageous, he said. I campaigned fairly and addressed issues immediately after they were brought to my attention. The Judicial Council had no authority to place these sanctions on me. Raoux said that he had no chance to defend himself against the charges brought about by Garrison, and that he felt there was no recourse after the decision was made. I didnt post too many flyers, he insisted. I didnt even have the full amount up. In an email to The Forum Raoux said he posted 15 too many 11x17 posters, though he said, Everything was fixed before voting ever bqpn. Teig said that all ofthe confusion might be due to vaguely-worddocuments in need of revision. I didnt want to have Nick Raoux disqualified over posting violations, she said. We revised the Elections Handbook to give more say to the Elections Committee. The language we used before was too specific. We felt it would be best to leave more up to the Elections Chair. Teig acknowledged that there are disputes in interpreting elections violations. For instance, is ed to help punish Nick Raoux. Zuckerman said that Feme worked with the Council to reach a decision. It was here that the poster sanctions and the 7 bonus to every vote count but Raouxs were devised. The Council then ordered Maurer to implement the sanctions. If all we did was declare that Maurer was guilty, wheres the justice in that? Zuckerman said. We didnt have the authority to dismiss the Elections Chair without an order of action. It was a tough situation, and we had to do something. Maurer remained optimistic, despite the trial and complaints. I am excited to see students so passionate about this, she said. I completely understand where Josh Garrison was coming from in wanting to punish Nick, and Im impressed that he went so far to end what he saw as an injustice. Garrison remains unconvinced that Raoux was adequately punished. If Nick misunderstood the rules, he either didnt read them or was lying to everyone, said Garrison. None of the Election Committee was named; how can we have transparent student government without that? I went to everyone I could; everyone just passed the buck. The Elections Committee didnt keep to the code theyd set up. If the Chair has final say in the punishment of candidates, then whats the point of the Elections Handbook? If youre elected to a role, and not fulfilling it, then why are we paying you? The Elections Chair and Committee are unpaid students working for the student government. Garrison said that Raoux pleaded with him not to have his campaign disqualified in the time leading up to the trial. What kind of leader are you going to be if you think you can skirt the rules? said Garrison. I beat the defense by citing their own handbook. A win posting three posters inappro- priately three separate tions, or a single act-bas- ed violavio- lation? We hope these challenges dont turn people away, she said. President (application process & appointed position): Brandon Lloyd Director of Budget & Finance (application process & appointed position): Magnum SAC Westminster is a learning environment, and should be treated as such. The Elections Handbook and the guiding documents of the Judicial Council can be accessed on myASWC.com under Guiding Documents. Students can also read the official statements sent to The Forum by Senator Toomey and President Jon Pierce concerning this matter at forumfortnightiy.com. Kincaid Rising 2nd year Senator: Kailey Kornhauser, John Luke MacFarlane Rising 3rd year Senator: Holly King, Josh White (Speaker of the Senate) Rising 4th year Senator: Faith Martinez (Parliamentarian), Jonathon Pierce Monday, March 12 Katrina Maurer is put on trial for ethics violations in front of the judicial council, defended by ASWC President Jon Pierce and Senator Michael Toomey. Garrison represents himself. The Judicial Council issues an order of action requiring Maurer to impose new sanctions on the Raoux campaign, including the 7 boost to every other presidential candidate's vote count. Dean of Students Mark Feme steps in to help the Judicial Council arrive to what they saw as a fair decision. Katrina Maurer is not found guilty of wrongdoing. Tuesday, March 13 Thursday, March 15 Through ForumFortnightly.com and Facebook groups, the dispute is brought to the student body, amidst calls for new elections and accusations of election- wins the runoff election against Sam Wilkinson and becomes rigging. Initial election results are announced, for the positions of including three run-ofPresident, Vice President and ICC President. Aviation Senator: Alexandra Consolver, Dylan Whitmore Education Senator: Laurenjean Rice, Elizabeth Sauve Business Senator: Xihe Chen (Chenny), Liam Harry, Jonathon Pierce Nick Raoux the ASWC Ben Wilkinson wins the office of Vice Social Sciences Senator: Andrew Hagedorn, president-elec- t. President, while Quayla Skevington and Chris Gibbs win elections for ICC President and Chief Justice, fs respectively. , , Faith Martinez (Parliamentarian), Danielle Southworth Pure 81 Applied Science: Kayla Sperry |