Student govt. candidates stump for votes on College Green

College Green was packed yesterday afternoon when Penn's student government pulled out all the stops in its effort to get students to vote. Yellow balloons that read "Vote on Penn InTouch" dotted Locust Walk. A cappella and dance groups performed enthusiastically before the crowds. Candidates milled around, handing out fliers and shaking hands. And, to top it off, there was free pizza. The Nominations and Elections Committee's "Get Out the Vote!" event kicked off the beginning of elections yesterday. Elections for the Undergraduate Assembly and class boards will last through next Wednesday. This year, more than 120 candidates will be running for the class boards and the UA. Sixty-three candidates will be running for the 25 seats available on the UA, and 63 candidates will be running for class boards. Candidates passed out $1,000 worth of pizza all afternoon while they introduced themselves to voters and answered questions about elections. "The [turnout] is fantastic," NEC Vice Chairwoman of Elections Teresa Lee said. "[Students] have been positive, assuring that they would vote," the Wharton and Engineering junior added. Students could eat their pizza on the Green while enjoying free entertainment by various student groups, including a cappella group The Inspiration and the Arts House Dance Company. College sophomore Hal Hodes, also an NEC member, said he thought the event went well. "Candidates are meeting voters and visa versa," Hodes said, "[so] people aren't just voting out of a blurb from the paper." Candidates agreed that the event was a great way to meet students and introduce themselves to them, as well as encourage them to vote. "[The event] is going pretty well. I've been able to talk to lots of [students]," College freshman and class board candidate Katherine Smith said. "It's great -- people can meet the candidates [and there's] more interaction," College freshman and UA candidate Lily Yeun said. Some candidates are also confident that voting through Penn InTouch -- which was actively advertised yesterday -- will positively affect voter turnout. Lee said last night that 5 percent of students had voted during the day, meaning that over 500 students had already cast ballots. Last year, 1,220 students -- just 17 percent of the eligible voters -- voted. "The recent change in how to vote [is great]," UA candidate and Wharton freshman Amina Conteh said, adding that "more people will definitely vote." Students will be able to vote on Penn InTouch until Wednesday, and results for the UA and class boards will be announced after the NEC's Fair Practices Code hearing the following day.

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