Candidates have geared up for the upcoming ASGCC elections to be held Tuesday and Wednesday in Plaza Vaquero.
Available positions include vice president of administration, vice president of campus activities, vice president of campus relations, and vice president of campus organizations. There are three senators each for administration, finance, campus activities, campus relations, and campus organizations.
Among the candidates running, Tade Hartoonian, Rebeka Hovanessian, and Sarkis Nazaryan are running for vice president of administration.
Running uncontested are Ronny Hovanessian, for vice president of campus activities; Jean Schindler, for vice president of campus relations; and James Demerjian, for vice president of campus organizations.
According to Alen Andriassian, coordinator of student activities, and Leslie Aguilera, vice president of finance as well as elections commissioner, this upcoming election will differ greatly from past elections due to revisions in the election code. “Some of the things that had been in the election code are different now, and that is changing how elections are being held,” said Aguilar.
Originally, College Trustee Robert K. Holmes, an instructor at GCC as well as attorney at law, had pointed out some aspects of the election code that violated first amendment rights. For example, the old election code restricted supporters from wearing T-shirts for candidates. However, in a court of law, this restriction could clearly be acknowledged as a violation of first amendment rights.
“We changed the election code because we realized things in the code were too restrictive,” said Andriassian. “By making it less restrictive, people can do more and students have a fairer playing ground.”
This election has seen a promising turnout of candidates. According to Aguilera, about 40 students originally wanted to apply for candidacy. With 19 positions available, 35 students made the ballot. “It’s a great turnout for people who signed up,” said Aguilera.
Candidates wanting to run for positions were required to collect 100 signatures, attend one of the mandatory candidacy meetings, and write a personal statement. Students also had to have a GPA of at least 2.0. Students who failed to meet requirements were disqualified. Elections will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday in Plaza Vaquero. Election results will be posted in SC 201 on Thursday.