ASLMU Election Results Live Blog

Voting just closed for this year's elections, join us for our live blog of this year's results as they are announced.



---Faiza Mokhtar

Beating the Election - All Quiet on the Facebook Front

Facebook has been a force to be reckon with at LMU since 2004; it has become part of LMU's social fabric. Facebook certainly made quite the impression a few years later during Campaign Week that Facebook groups and pages have become the standard campaign tool to reel in supporters and more importantly votes. Facebook groups and pages for Presidential tickets and Senatorial candidates were overwhelmed with information about their platform and posed as another way to communicate with the candidate.

As for this year, I cannot really say Facebook groups of the tickets provide wealth of information but really something left to be desired. Going through the Presidential tickets all I read is fluff and not much substance. Every time a ticket mentioned an issue that they wanted to fix, the next question was how? From this, it definitely still needs work. It's disappointing considering that the voter has very little to go on, just a vague promise and a catchy slogan (and sometimes not even that). Although props to the Frontiera-Aiello ticket, they got one new idea that they want to implement "Free CONVOsation" which sounds promising but all they do is mention it.

The goal of these Facebook groups is to provide a complete and clear platform for the student who may not be able (or really wanting) to go to a debate or Town Hall. Providing such information is paramount as disclosure of a ticket's platform is indicative of the accountability they plan to maintain if they are elected. Unfortunately in this case, both tickets fail to do this leaving the voters to scratch their heads and possibly not trust.

Judge for yourself and see if these Facebook groups for the Presidential Ticket fit the bill:

Nick Frontiera and Alexis Aiello for ASLMU President/VP

Katherine BARDIS and Stephanie CHAPLUK for ASLMU PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT

---Faiza Mokhtar

"Beating the Election" is a week-long series that takes the unconventional and satirical route in understanding this year's ASLMU elections.

Photos courtesy of Facebook

Beating the Election - How to avoid the candidate

Happy campaign week! Not really.

Today starts the longest and most annoying week of the year at LMU, ASLMU Elections. I say this having campaigned as a Senatorial candidate 3 years ago, being a campaign manager for 2 years and serving as the Election Chair; so I have been in the business of annoying students in past elections. Rather than hearing empty promises and candidates drone on and on this week, here are four quick ways to avoid the candidates:

1. Do not go to convo - You may think this is easier said than done, but actually it's quite easy to do. The hot spots during convo are Alumni Mall, the Lair and the Lair Patio. Apparently candidates' canvassing to hit up students for votes is concentrated in this area.

2. Sport those elusive white earbuds - based on a makeshift experience I did a few years ago I find that walking around campus with your iPod, that's a sign that you do not want to be bothered and you'll be avoided. So if #1 is too difficult, listening to your iPod is a safe bet.

3. Go to the gym - The gym is one of the "safe zones" on campus during campaign week. Years ago, campaigning at the gym was not allowed so the gym became a "safe zone" from annoying campaigning (because working out is serious business). So if you're thinking about getting in shape or shedding a few pounds, this would be a great week to start!

4. Use the "I'm in a rush!" line - There are times where encountering the candidate is inevitable. However, you can get out of it quickly. I have encountered solicitors, and many surprisingly are polite. They'll ask me if I have a moment and I'll respond with a guilty look, "I'm really sorry but I'm in a rush." Then they let me go on my merry way. Candidates don't want to get a potential voter angry so they'll honor your request and desist.

Use these four tools wisely and campaign week and voting will be just an afterthought.

--- Faiza Mokhtar

"Beating the Election" is a week-long series that takes the unconventional and satirical route in understanding this year's ASLMU elections.