Electoral Commission Decisions
Spring 2026 Sanctions
An appeal was submitted to the Student Court on Friday, March 20th, about the decision below. After review, the Court decided the following:
The Court determined that the group message Ms. Adams sent out regarding her candidacy and pursuit of campaign workers does not meet the criteria for "Campaigning" or "Campaign Materials" per Electoral Code Sections 5.1.1., 5.1.4. Her message sought to recruit campaign workers, which is permitted under Electoral Code before the official campaign start date, and her message did not directly solicit votes.
The Court unanimously reverses the findings of the Electoral Commission and therefore vacates the sanctions imposed.
Our official opinion is forthcoming.
So ordered on the 27th of March 2026
Electoral Commission finding...
March 20, 2026
On March 19th, candidate Lauren Adams was granted a hearing to determine whether or not certain actions during her campaign constituted a violation of the Electoral Code. Adams was found in violation of Section 5.9.1 of the Electoral Code, which states that "Electronic campaign materials shall not be used or be publicly viewable before the campaign period. Electronic campaign materials include, but are not limited to, Instagram posts, TikTok or any such short form content, Snapchat stories, GroupMe posts or any other types of group messaging services.” Adams sent a message on February 11th announcing her intention to run for Student Body President in a group chat of more than 300 people, with individuals both receiving the message and affirming her statement. Campaigning is defined as "the act of directly soliciting votes." Announcing her run for the specific position falls within this definition.
No malicious intent to violate the Electoral Code was found by the Commission
The final ruling stands that Lauren Adams was found to be in violation of Section 5.9.1 of the Electoral Code. Lauren Adams is to cease all campaign activity from 5:00 PM, March 22nd, until March 26th at 5:00PM.
Ceasing all campaign activity means:
- Taking down all signage
- Cancelling all meetings
- Taking down all campaigning materials
- This will continue until the date and time listed above
Spring 2025 Sanctions
To Whom It May Concern:
On April 14, 2025, candidate Landon Self was granted a hearing to determine whether or not certain actions during his campaign constituted a violation of the Electoral Code. Self was found in violation of Section 4.7.1 of the Electoral Code, which states that “Student Body Officers may begin campaigning at 8 am, ten class days prior to the start of their election.” On the same account, Self was found in violation of Section 4.9.1 of the Electoral Code, which states that “[n]o electronic campaigning or materials may be used prior to the start of the full-scale campaigning period.”
This hearing was conducted in the presence of the Electoral Commissioner, the Electoral Marshal, four members of the Electoral Commission, and with the input of the Student Government Staff Advisor.
The final ruling stands that Landon Self is to seize all campaign activity for a period of 15 hours.
To Whom It May Concern:
On April 14, 2025, candidate Violet Kleefisch was granted a hearing to determine whether or not certain actions during her campaign constituted a violation of the Electoral Code. Kleefisch was found in violation of Section 4.5.1 of the Electoral Code, which states that “[c]andidates shall conform to all standards set by Student Activities when distributing campaign materials.” Kleefisch was found in violation of standards regarding the approval of campaign materials prior to publishing.
This hearing was conducted in the presence of the Electoral Commissioner, the Electoral Marshal, four members of the Electoral Commission, and with the input of the Student Government Staff Advisor.
The final ruling stands that Violet Kleefisch is to seize all campaign activity for a period of 15 hours.