Spring Break
ASCSU hopefuls cry foul over early Web site launch
Jim Sojourner
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: News
In what some have called a "blatant violation" of student government's election code, a presidential and vice presidential candidate launched their campaign Web site Sunday evening, more than 12 hours before the beginning of the campaigning period.
Although the Associated Students of CSU elections code stipulates that no campaigning could begin before 8 a.m. Monday, Shaun Reed, the presidential candidate running with vice presidential hopeful Melisa Panagakos, said Election Manager Zane Guilfoyle approved the launch.
Reed and Guilfoyle both said since the Reed/Panagakos campaign did not distribute or advertise the Web address until Monday morning, the launch was not active campaigning and therefore did not violate the election code.
Guilfoyle also stood by his decision to approve the launch, but said anyone who takes issue with it can file a complaint with the Election Committee on which Guilfoyle has no vote.
However, the code defines campaigning as "any political speech, meeting and/or appeal for vote or votes" regardless of whether that campaigning is active or passive.
A competing campaign is crying foul.
"Honestly, it's a real easy rule to follow through on," presidential candidate Conrad Miller said. "We're not too happy about it."
"It's a pretty blatant violation," he continued. "Why have rules if we're not going to pay attention to them?"
Miller's running mate Jake Donovan said he was not sure what conversation Guilfoyle had with the Reed/Panagakos campaign, but Miller said everyone on his campaign was under the impression that absolutely no campaigning could begin until Monday morning.
"We're all good friends, so it was a little disappointing to see that," Miller said about the alleged violation.
Daniel Gearhart said his campaign's Web site also went live, with permission from Guilfoyle, for an about an hour earlier last week to get approval from the election committee, but said it was only accessible to the committee.
Although the Associated Students of CSU elections code stipulates that no campaigning could begin before 8 a.m. Monday, Shaun Reed, the presidential candidate running with vice presidential hopeful Melisa Panagakos, said Election Manager Zane Guilfoyle approved the launch.
Reed and Guilfoyle both said since the Reed/Panagakos campaign did not distribute or advertise the Web address until Monday morning, the launch was not active campaigning and therefore did not violate the election code.
Guilfoyle also stood by his decision to approve the launch, but said anyone who takes issue with it can file a complaint with the Election Committee on which Guilfoyle has no vote.
However, the code defines campaigning as "any political speech, meeting and/or appeal for vote or votes" regardless of whether that campaigning is active or passive.
A competing campaign is crying foul.
"Honestly, it's a real easy rule to follow through on," presidential candidate Conrad Miller said. "We're not too happy about it."
"It's a pretty blatant violation," he continued. "Why have rules if we're not going to pay attention to them?"
Miller's running mate Jake Donovan said he was not sure what conversation Guilfoyle had with the Reed/Panagakos campaign, but Miller said everyone on his campaign was under the impression that absolutely no campaigning could begin until Monday morning.
"We're all good friends, so it was a little disappointing to see that," Miller said about the alleged violation.
Daniel Gearhart said his campaign's Web site also went live, with permission from Guilfoyle, for an about an hour earlier last week to get approval from the election committee, but said it was only accessible to the committee.
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