In light of recent events surrounding the Board of Elections, the candidacy of Nirvana Habash and the misconduct of Judicial Committee Chaiwoman Erika Zois, the SG has strayed ever further away from its mission to represent and advocate for the students of AU. This year’s presidential elections are flirting with being labeled invalid, a fact which is unacceptable.
Unfortunately, this student body is no stranger to editorials critiquing the SG. Still, at this time, The Eagle finds it necessary to issue a call to the presidential candidates to take the only course of action that will keep these elections fair and legitimate: Each candidate for SG President — Nate Bronstein, Anthony Dunham, Nirvana Habash and Seth Rosenstein — must take their names off the ballot and campaign as write-in candidates.
Some may say this is a drastic and unnecessary measure. But before rushing to judgment, we implore everyone to take a step back and examine just how ridiculous the situation has become.
First, the facts. After initially having her candidacy stripped from her, then being reinstated, then being forced to run as a write-in candidate, Habash filed misconduct charges against Erika Zois, chairwoman of the Judicial Committee. Habash’s claims of misbehavior are fully warranted and are fundamentally related to a recently formed structural flaw in the SG.
Not only is Zois the Chair of the Judicial Committee (the body which heard Habash’s appeal of her candidacy revocation), but she is also the acting-chairwoman of the Board of Elections (the body which originally revoked Habash’s candidacy). This would be the same as if a judge gave a prison sentence in one trial and then was able to rule in the appeal of that decision. While Zois claims she excused herself from offering input in the Habash’s appeal, there is evidence that suggests she influenced the decision of fellow board members. Furthermore, Zois let another candidate for president, Anthony Dunham, give her advice on SG rules. It seems even Zois recognized that her actions were improper, as she resigned soon after the charges were brought.
Consequentially, the decision to make Habash a write-in candidate can no longer be taken as legitimate. And knowing the bureaucratic obstacles for which AU has become known, the chances that Student Activities or the new BOE chair can cut through the bull and quickly put Habash back on the ballot are slim. Even if they do, she still campaigns at a disadvantage because of lost time. Some senators have suggested that if the election uses the ballot as it is now, they would vote to invalidate its results — a disaster to the legitimacy of an already floundering SG. Therefore, the responsibility lies on the candidates themselves to make this election one of substance and equality.
Only if each candidate is a write-in will the fairness of this election be preserved. Admittedly, voter turnout will likely take a dive, but turnout will be even more dismal if students are forced to vote a second time.
Moreover, this should offer candidates the chance to become the change they wish to see in the SG. They all have appeared to be sympathetic to Habash’s situation. Seth Rosenstein even went as far in yesterday’s debate to call the events “ridiculous,” and each expressed the desire to see Habash remain in the election. In addition, with the recent development of some events that are still being investigated by The Eagle, another candidate may soon find himself in a similar situation as Habash.
So to all of the candidates: call a meeting, examine the situation and talk it over. We sincerely believe that if all the alternatives are examined, the move that maintains the legitimacy of the election and the SG as a whole will be clear. The SG is in dire need of leadership at this time, and each of you is in the position to provide it.
Don’t hesitate. Register as write-ins.
