By Grady Andersen, Newswire Intern

For the first time since 2017, there is a contested senate election. This year two tickets are going head-to-head for president and vice president. 

In the race for SGA executives, the ticket of Tyrae Walker and Ivan Colmenares is opposing incumbent Vice President Nick Watts and his running mate Kathryn Cohen for president and vice president. All four candidates are juniors. On top of this, there are over 40 students vying for one of 20 open senate seats.

“We have 40 people running with 20 spots, and in the years past, we’ve never hit past 15 typically. So that’s absolutely crazy,” senior finance and business analytics major and president of the Board of Elections Mallory Bowling said.

“The board of elections runs SGA elections during the month of October. Basically it’s just a one month commitment kind of thing. We set the dates, all the events we’re going to host, and then we make sure that everybody running for SGA meets the requirements of the code,” Bowling said. 

“With an uncontested election, whoever wins doesn’t have to think through their policies,” junior math and economics major Andrew Schmidt said. “Competition brings out the best in everyone.” 

While most elections could be seen as a formal way of approval, as uncontested seats leave no choice but to vote for the same people, this one has pulled in a lot more attention. 

“They’re frustrated. They want their voices to be heard, at least, especially the most recent thing, I’m thinking about the three year housing requirement,” Bowling said.

While the upcoming third-year housing requirement set to take place for the class of 2030 is a key issue, there are other issues that both presidential candidates are taking aim at. Some of these include campus parking, increasing permanent upgrades to outdoor spaces and improving student safety around campus and the Norwood areas close to campus. 

“There is no reason you shouldn’t put in the effort. So I am so excited to see this that year people want to do it and want to be that student body representation,” Bowling said. As this is her third year serving on the board, she noticed a steep increase in the number of votes cast. 

“About 300 people voted last year, max. And only undergraduates can vote in the election. Prior (referring to two years ago) with the contested senate race, at least 1,000 students voted,” Bowling said. 

Although the board is expecting another huge turnout in votes today. Bowling still encourages people to vote.

“You are voting for your student body representatives, so you should put some time and thought into it. This ballot is sent to your email. There is no reason you shouldn’t vote in that. In this election, they are your representatives, so you should make your voice heard by choosing your representative,” Bowling said.