Board sanctions ND election candidates
By SCOTT BRODFUEHRER
Associate News Editor
The Judicial Board sanctioned presidential and vice presidential candidates Mike Bott and Mike Kirsh for violating three election bylaws while serving as deejays at the Cavanaugh and Knott/Lewis dances last weekend.
No additional campaign materials will be approved for the candidates until after the general election on Feb. 10.
According to Judicial Council Vice President of Elections Matt Corgan, the most serious violation was the fact that the candidates hung an unapproved sign at the two dance venues that stated "Vote Mike and Mike."
"We thought that it was pretty clear that not submitting the sign for the required signatures was a violation of the bylaws," said Corgan.
In a response to the sanction, Bott and Kirsh said they likened the sign to writing "Vote Mike and Mike" on a whiteboard hung outside of their rooms because it was affixed to their personal property and not distributed throughout campus. However, Bott said he does understand that ruling.
"I think out of all the bylaws we were accused of violating, I admit that this was the one we should have been more careful about. We misinterpreted the rule," said Bott.
The sanction means that the candidates will no longer be able to produce new campaign materials until after the general election, including updating their Web site, but will be able to continue to distribute existing campaign materials.
If the candidates are in the run-off election, they will be able to produce new materials.
Bott said the sanction should not have a large impact on their campaign.
"I don't think it will affect us too much. We had planned on doing a few new posters, but we have accepted the penalties they have imposed on us," said Bott.
Corgan said the candidates also violated election bylaws by campaigning in a Student Union venue during the Cavanaugh Snow Ball, which was held on in the LaFortune Ballroom, and by not submitting receipts for the materials they purchased to make the sign.
Bott said he and Kirsh plan to appeal only their violation of the bylaw prohibiting using a Student Union venue because he said Corgan had stated that they were allowed to promote their ticket at the Cavanaugh formal. Their appeal will likely be considered at today's Student Senate meeting.
However, Corgan said that the sanction was levied solely in light of their violation of hanging an unapproved sign.
Prior to the two dances last weekend, the candidates served as deejays at Farley's dance and following this dance Cogan said a person made an accusation that this violated the election bylaws. However, Judicial Board did not consider that accusation because it was not considered explicit enough.
The candidates will serve as deejays again this weekend at the Morrissey Hall formal on Saturday.
All News Stories for Wednesday, February 5, 2003
