Officials discuss changes to MSA elections

Elections officials met to discuss changes for next year.

By Megan Stroup

Published Dec. 5, 2008

MSA leaders gathered Tuesday night to discuss this year's election and possible changes to the process for next year.

The Operations Committee met with the Board of Elections Commissioners and the Missouri Students Association presidential candidates to review the campaign season.

BEC Chairman Justin Mohn admitted the negative parts of the election process this year were much more visible than the things that went right.

"I was just happy the voting program worked the second time around," Mohn said of the technical difficulties with the Web site, which was powered by the Division of Information Technology. "That's at least a hopeful indication in my mind that IT can eventually provide a working product."

Aside from the technical issues, much of the discussion revolved around the effects of the campaign spending cap removal this year. In the past, candidates have had to operate under a $1,000 campaign budget, but there was no monetary limit this year.

Former candidate Phyllis Williams said this election was an example of deregulation not working.

"It got really real, really quick," Williams said about the effects of the sudden infusion of money.

There were many complaints filed this year that were thrown out because they had no precedent, such as the possible solicitation caused by eventual winner Jordan Paul's door hangers, or a student who was allegedly denied pizza offered by Paul during the election.

Williams said these things never happened before with the spending cap, because candidates couldn't afford to print door hangers or order pizza.

"I would be an advocate for putting the cap back," former candidate Joe Fessehaye said. "It unlevels the playing field."

Fessehaye also said he believes a spending cap encourages efficiency.

"If there's a limit, you're expected to be as efficient as possible with the money you're given," he said.

Paul agreed, but with hesitation.

"I am in no way opposed to a spending cap," Paul said. "But there are problems that need to be addressed before you go back to it."

Mohn said he felt the spending cap removal fostered a lot of competition between the slates, but acknowledged there was both good and bad competition.

Operations Committee Chairwoman Amanda Shelton also offered the idea of public financing from MSA.

BEC Vice Chairman Ryan Senciboy voiced his concern that public financing could cause the number of candidates running for the presidency to rise exponentially.

"Not a dime is coming out of their pockets," Senciboy said. "They have no accountability whatsoever."

Williams said a possible alternative could be setting a maximum amount in the MSA budget for financing candidates, and then distributing that fund equally to each candidate with an individual cap.

Another option for public financing was for MSA to match funds that the candidates themselves raise.

"I think that would go against what I said about leveling the playing field," Fessehaye said, claiming he would have "crumbs" thrown at him in this situation.

During the campaigns, Paul spent almost $2,900, Williams spent an estimated $660 and Fessehaye spent less than $300.