Low student involvement in Rutgers-Newark Student Government Elections

Every year student involvement in SGA elections are low from voter turnout to the number of student candidates. The current SGA president is hoping that will change.

Originally written in 2016 written by: Shadei Terry-Coleman

"About an estimated 460 students voted in last year’s SGA elections out of 8,170 undergraduate students."

The Rutgers-Newark Student Government Association (SGA) elections kick off this year on Monday, April 3rd. Every year student involvement in Student Government Association elections are generally low, resulting in low voter turnout and few candidates running for positions.

With decisions on funding for student organizations and creating new initiatives like the student food pantry, election season is the time students can have their voice heard; if they vote.

About an estimated 460 students voted in last year’s SGA elections out of 8,170 undergraduate students, according to a Student Government Associations Election Committee representative.

Elections take place in April, and students elected into positions usually take office in May. Which allows time for training and time for new candidates to get accustomed to their new role.

“Students at any class level can run for any office. Every position is open.” Student Government Association President, Rahimah Faiq said.

Current SGA President, Faiq was involved in student politics in high school. She wanted to see what student politics would be like at the college level.

“I’ve been president for two terms. Each position serves for a year long term.” Faiq said.

Interestingly enough, Rahimah has held the role of Student Government Association (SGA) President for two terms; not because she beat her competition twice but, because she ran unopposed.

“Interesting….is definitely the word I would use. I wish there were more people for me to run against.” Faiq said.

Current SGA Vice President, Ibrahim Omar chuckled as he sat on the couch beside Faiq. Ibrahim is now running for Rahimah’s position as president, since she will be graduating this May.

Ibrahim doesn’t have the advantage of running unopposed this election year. He is running against two other candidates vying to be president.

The amount of candidates slightly increased this year, however students being aware of elections and candidates is still a prevalent concern. Making students aware of upcoming elections more effectively, is something the SGA wants to work on.

“I haven’t paid much attention to student elections.” said Sandra Gorafolo, who is a junior at Rutgers- Newark.

SGA has been using several methods to let students know of upcoming elections.

“We tell the candidate’s that are running to tell their friends and share on social media, we tell people at different events, and we also send out an email.” Faiq said.

Email communications regarding student elections haven’t been successful Faiq has noticed.

“People may not look at every email. Emails haven’t been effective. We don’t want to spam inboxes with emails.” Faiq said.

SGA also uses their close connections with other RU-Newark student organizations to try and inform more people about the elections.

“We are closely connected and in communication with other student organizations on campus. We let them know about upcoming elections, so they can also share about them.” Chief Finance Officer, Hasnan Shahs said.

Low voter turnout for college aged students is nothing new. Even in presidential elections, voter turnout is usually low for students aged 18-24. According to the Census Bureau, young adults, have consistently had a low voting turnout in contrast to other age groups since 1962.

During the recent 2016 presidential election in the U.S, debates were heavily watched and were a way for Americans to get to know what the candidates’ positions were. However, candidate debates did not have a positive reaction on the Rutgers Newark campus.

“We have tried to do debates before. They were poorly advertised, so people didn’t know about them. The debates would happen, and the only people that would be there were the candidates.” Faiq said.

In an effort to encourage student engagement in voting this year, SGA provided popcorn, cotton candy and small activities outside of the Robeson building, along with computers for convenient voting.

“I don’t remember voting in any student elections before but, I made the effort to actually vote this time”, Stephanie Blisset, a senior at Rutgers-Newark said.

SGA also incorporated social media to get the word out this year, by having a custom Snapchat Geofilter to promote the election.

Although student engagement with elections may be on the low side, students do engage with SGA when they need assistance. Faiq mentioned a particular instance when the SGA helped a student that needed assistance with graduation. They also are involved with the Student Action Awards, which shine a light on good professors.

“We are here to help and connect more with the students, and we are always looking for better ways to make that happen.” Faiq said.