MSA slates adjust to extra campaigning week

A technical problem with voting gave candidates more campaigning time.

By Campbell Massie

Published Nov. 18, 2008

Missouri Students Association presidential slates had mixed opinions about the extra week added to the campaign season.

Due to technical problems with the ballot last week, the election was delayed.

The unexpected week of campaigning was filled with official complaints, extra fliers across campus as well as more time for all the candidates to talk to student. All the candiates said they tried to make the best of the week and continued to campaign, but wished it would just end.

Jordan Paul and his running mate Colleen Hoffman said the extra week hurt their source allocation. Prior to the date of the first election the slate sent out handbills, posted flyers around campus, reserved tables at Brady Commons and posted door hangers with the date of the election printed on them in student-heavy neighborhoods and apartment complexes.

"That is very strategic placement, and now it's off a week," Paul said.

The Paul-Hoffman slate was not prepared to enter another week of campaigning, but they spent the extra time regrouping their efforts. Paul said they found it harder to reschedule election week events such as reserving tables at Brady Commons or getting supporters to volunteer due to busier schedules this week.

Phyllis Williams said she and her running mate Jonathan Snipes found the extra week to be frustrating as well, considering they filed four complaints and were the subject of four others. People were excited and ready to go last Monday, she said, and then panicked when the voting did not work.

"Everyone's first reaction was to panic and contact me," Williams said.

The Williams-Snipes slate did not put a lot of money into its campaign, but was able to get some fliers posted throughout the week, Williams said. The pair spent the week talking to more student groups, getting their names out there and taking advantage of the extra time they were accidentally given, she said.

The only thing that changed the way candidates Joe Fessehaye and Lindsey Abell campaigned was the weather, Fessehaye said. The pair continued to talk to their friends and get the word out about their campaign, he said.

Fessehaye said the extra week helped but nothing about their approach changed.

"We kind of wish it was over," Fessehaye said.