BEC drives referendum promotion campaign
Published April 27, 2004
While students sitting at Speaker's Circle listened to a sermon by the latest religious speaker to visit campus Monday afternoon, a golf cart carrying 10 Missouri Students Association leaders, including President Brian Laoruangroch, screeched to a halt as the driver yelled, "Everybody out!"
Those sitting in the golf cart jumped out and distributed yellow slips to remind students to vote in the referendum election this week.
The referendum to decide whether to revise the MSA constitution began Monday night at six. Paper balloting will occur today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. near Brady Commons and in front of Memorial Union. Online voting will conclude Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Board of Elections Commissioners chairman Greg Chase said he and vice-chairwoman Tara Brandenburger rode around for two hours in the morning and more than two hours throughout the afternoon to promote the referendum.
During the afternoon run, Chase honked and waved at passing students while those in the vehicle ' which carried a banner announcing the election ' would hand the yellow bills to students. Occasionally, he stopped so Brandenburger, Vice President Kara Heppermann or College Music Committee chairman Nick Gertsema could jump out and distribute the handbills.
Chase said that by driving around campus passing out the handbills, a wider range of students found out about the election.
Brandenburger said many students seemed uncertain because the campaign was something they'd never seen before.
Chase said he expects MSA will use this type of advertising for future elections.