UCF senator claims Web site violated election statutes

Story and Photos By Mackenzie O'Bannon

The 34th student senate was sworn in Thursday despite a contestment made by Sen. Paul Geller regarding what he considered violations of election statutes.

During the student senate elections the Web site www.bored.cc/force (which is no longer available)was created to promote one candidate in each seat per college. Students at UCF could click on certain names and be shown the candidate's picture. Along with each of the candidate's picture was an identical platform list and the words 'We urge you to vote NO on the new proposed Constitution' at the bottom of the page. The creator or creators of the Web site have not publicly identified themselves.

Sen. Paul Geller

According to Geller, the Web site www.bored.cc/force violated seven election statutes."This Web site misrepresented views of many students promoted on the Web site," said Geller. "It connected them to undesirable views and activities."

One of these undesirable views was the statement at the bottom urging students to vote no on the new proposed constitution. This statement misrepresented the opinions of senators who appeared on the Web site who had voted to adopt the new proposed constitution during the previous senate session.

After the elections, Geller printed out copies of the Web site in its original form. He then informed the Election Commission and the student senate that he would be contesting the election results due to what he thought were election statute violations.

When asked why he contested the results of the election, Geller replied: "It is our duty as senators to abide by the statutes of the school. By disregarding them, we would be misrepresenting our constituents and would set a poor example for our successors to follow."

Former Sen. Reggie Thomas agreed and said, " I believe it is our duty as senators to enforce the government and keep the executive branch in check by practicing our role of oversight."

Thomas also said the alleged violations not only affect senatorial candidates, but students at UCF, as well. "It provides them [the students] with unequal and biased representation of the student body as well as their views," said Thomas.

Geller added to Thomas' statement by adding: " By allowing the Web site to go unnoticed would impede the ability of a senator to perform their job properly. As a senator and student who is constantly trying to build respect for our Student Government Association, it undermines just that."

However, some members of student government feel that contesting the senate election results is a waste of time. Supervisor of Elections Tom Eriksen said, "It's bullshit, it's ridiculous, but I understand his point of view."

Senator Brian Kirlew agrees that contesting the elections is a waste of time. "No one should try to impede the democratic process of an election," Kirlew said. "It's un-American,undemocratic, and an assault on freedom. The students have cast their votes and supported their candidates. Let's move on and do the work of the students."

Sen. Brian Kirlew

However, one senator thinks that despite winning, the Web site did violate her rights. " I had no idea I was on the Web site until someone told me," Stephanie Carroll, an education major, said. "Why would I tell someone to vote no on the

Sen. Stephanie Carroll

proposed Constitution when I had not read it yet myself?"

Unfortunately for Senator Geller and those who supported his efforts, the Election Commission issued a memorandum at the UCF student senate meeting Thursday stating that they found no violations stemming from the Web site.