Editor,
Who is unethical? Who will cheat? I have tried to find reasons why some ASUNM senators believe online elections or a polling station at Mesa Vista Hall will increase the probability of unethical campaigning in the next election.
The only two senators who voted against online voting are the senators leading two slates of candidates who are fighting to take control of the student government. Ashley Fate is the presidential candidate and leader of the Reach slate, and Louis Jeantete is the presidential candidate and leader of the Key slate.
I wonder if they fear they will cheat in the next election - therefore, if online voting did not pass, the temptation to engage in unethical activities would not exist. If this is the reason behind their vote, it is admirable. But if they cannot trust themselves, are they fit to run?
There is another reason why they might not want online elections. It is possible they believe they will lose if the process is opened to involve more students. I can understand not supporting a bill that will enfranchise more students if it will cost an election, but this is not democratic. Possessing the power to limit voting and using this power to win an election does not represent the actions of a president. If this is the reason they voted against online voting, then I once again will ask if they are fit to run.
The only other reason they might not support online elections is probably the worst. If Fate and Jeantete fear cheating is possible, and they themselves will not cheat, then they must believe other slates will cheat. PAC is the only other slate, and this is the slate that operates out of the ethnic centers. The majority of the candidates are ethnic minorities, and the campaign will use ethnic minorities to connect to voters. When senators allude to cheating, are they basing this decision on a belief that ethnic minorities are more likely to cheat? This is irrational, and most students would not support a decision based on these beliefs. If this is the reason votes were cast against Bill 4S and Bill 6S, then I am certain these senators are not fit to run.
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We as members of PAC believe in democracy, and we use the democratic process to effect change. Cheating is a tactic that PAC will never use. Our goal is to educate the students at UNM and bring more voters into the process who can and will make informed decisions. PAC will diligently work to extend our hand to students that historically have been isolated and left out of ASUNM. PAC's faith in the democratic process gives us confidence we will succeed, because information is power, and its dissemination is our tactic.
Angel Padilla
ASUNM senator
