Grant Gunderson, a junior in zoology, initially won a senator position for the College of Science and Math, but upon a recount, Zachary Reich won as voters spelled Reich’s name in various forms.
Half the candidates written in for student senate positions won with less than 10 votes in this spring’s student body elections.
Election results show 10 candidates written in for senate positions won with vote counts ranging from eight to 30 votes. Some write-in candidates plan to serve while others do not.
Nate Corcoran, a senior in human development and family science, said he knew a senatorial position would be a great way to impact campus. He won with nine write-in votes for the College of Human Development & Education, votes that came unknowingly, he said.
“I now know that eight friends greatly believe that I can benefit campus,” Corcoran said. “I didn’t publicly say that I was writing my own name down so I am happy to hear that others want to see me be a part of student government.”
Another write-in winner, Grant Gunderson, said his win was rescinded following a recount and his “sort of running mate” Zachary Reich won the seat instead. Gunderson, a junior in zoology, won with nine write-in votes like Corcoran, but chief justice Mathew Warsocki said some students spelled Reich’s first name in variations which, upon a recount, amounted to more votes than Gunderson received.
Grant Johnson, a senior in management, won a seat for College of Business senator with nine write-in votes and a last-minute campaign on Facebook during the April 6-7 elections.
As Johnson will graduate in May, he will not serve his senator seat.
“After four years of trying to get involved, I find it ironic that I finally pierced the ranks of student government,” Johnson said. “For this, I am thankful to my business community.”
Emily F. Marshall, a freshman in management communication, won a Residence Hall senate seat with her nine write-in votes. She said she is interested in serving despite a possible conflict with the Residence Hall Association. Her candidacy was unintentional, she added.
“I think it is pretty crazy that I won honestly but I’m glad to know my peers and people who did write me in have faith in me to be successful and make a change,” Marshall said.
Warsocki, also election official, said students will often throw in as write-in candidates on the ballot if they miss the filing deadline.
Despite the write-in victories for various college senator positions, not every seat was filled. The College of University Studies still has an open senator position.