Every aspect of life is in flux due to COVID-19—and student governments are no exception.
Elections for Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA), and Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG) are typically held this time of year, but with a global pandemic, these organizations have adapted their election processes.
RRRA president Douglas Cochrane acknowledged the pandemic “impacted the original plans following the election writ being dropped in our last meeting.”
He added the organization is currently navigating “unchartered waters,” especially when dealing with the new challenges that come with the now-digital elections.
According to a RRRA statement, posted on the organization’s Facebook page on March 23, there is no set date for the online 2020 RRRA election.
“[T]he Association’s 2020 Executive Election will not be commencing before the date of March 31st,” the statement reads—breaking an electoral bylaw.
Because council cannot meet to vote on this decision, the RRRA statement explains the association’s executives are able to assume powers of council under RRRA bylaws.
“Once we are able to hold our nominations, campaigning, and voting online, an announcement of next year’s executives will be posted on all platforms,” Cochrane said.
CASG also implemented an online election this year amid COVID-19.
“Though everything that has been happening has been obviously hard to anticipate, the election process has not faced great change,” CASG vice-president (internal) Tyler Boswell said of the online election.
“CASG’s election process doesn’t change drastically because, unlike RRRA, we do not have student-wide elections and [our elections] have been held online anyways, so in that way we don’t face great change,” Boswell explained.
Although Boswell said the election process for this term has not been greatly impacted, “the virus could very possibly affect next year’s student governments when considering re-election should the current state of things carry on to the next school term.”
While virtual ballots allow elections to take place in a timely manner, Conrad Winn, a political science professor at Carleton University, said student governments should be cautious of lower voter turnout.
“Turnout and participation within these elections is already a previously recognized issue, but with the added issues of the virus, it is understandably going to grow,” Winn said.
Although online elections pose new challenges, Cochrane said students should keep positive attitudes.
“Those passionate about running for RRRA, as well as those who already have these positions solidified for the upcoming year, should not be discouraged,” he said.
Featured image from file.
