SMC run-off ends in first ever tie, re-elections on Friday
By NELLIE WILLIAMS
News Writer
The race for student body president will continue at Saint Mary's.
For the first time in the College's history, votes in the run-off election between the tickets of Emily Koelsch and Rachele Rodarte and Chrissie Renner and Michelle Nagle resulted in a tie.
In Wednesday's run-off election, an equal number of votes were cast. Both tickets received 49 percent of the votes. Two percent of the votes were abstentions. A winning ticket needed to gain 50 percent plus one votes to earn the position.
The next elections will take place Friday in the dining hall from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m., noon - 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
A higher turnout showed up at the polls for the run-off compared to Monday's election, which eliminated two of the four original tickets. Thirty-nine percent of the student body voted Wednesday, up from 36 percent Monday.
The candidates were pleased with the turnout and encouraged people to return to the polls on Friday.
"We are just hoping that everyone can come together one more time and vote," said Renner.
Koelsch's sentiments were similar.
"We've had a very good turnout," she said. "I hope this brings out more people on Friday. Let's get this finished and [get] a president elected."
Two years ago, when Sarah Seifert and Nancy Midden ran on a ticket together, the primary election was won by one vote. That is the closest tickets have ever come to tying, according to interim elections commissioner Bridget Heffernan.
"This is completely unprecedented. It's ridiculous that this has happened," Heffernan said. "These tickets are both very qualified. We were joking early that there would be a dead tie, but never thought it would happen."
Both tickets will be given another allotment to use for campaigning before Friday's elections.
Neither ticket is willing to give up the race.
"We are still determined and still motivated," said Nagle. "We believe in each other and we hope everyone else can believe in us too."
Koelsch said they are going to give everyone a break today.
"It's been so overwhelming for everyone," she said. "On Friday, we're just going to remind everyone to vote again."
All News Stories for Thursday, February 3, 2000
