Del Norte ASB Holds Elections Virtually for the First Time
In January, for the first time in Del Norte history, presidential elections for the Associated Student Body were held online. In order to adhere to current virtual learning guidelines, ASB modified their election process to fit entirely on a computer screen.
This year, the majority of virtual elections took place via social media. Candidates were tasked with creating a short video, taking over the ASB instagram for an afternoon, and creating digital posters to advertise on social media and school-wide emails.
Having run for vice president two years in a row, current junior vice president Hannah Riggins has experience with both in-person and virtual elections.
“In a sense, it did turn into a popularity contest this year,” Riggins claims. “Certain candidates who had campaigned in previous years may have had an advantage because more people knew of them.”
A high social media following and a candidate’s ability to access outside resources may have also given candidates an advantage in the virtual setting. Riggins states that “most people went into the week knowing who they would vote for… there was less of an opportunity to shift people’s perspectives of you because you couldn’t talk to people in person.”
That being said, Riggins actually prefers virtual elections to in-person elections.
Riggins claims that the hardest aspect of in-person elections was the time commitment. “Although it’s fun to actually speak with people in person last year, I was less stressed this year. [Elections] were less demanding in terms of time,” she remarks.
From spending early mornings hanging up posters on campus to using lunch and free periods publicizing her campaign, Riggins admits that demands of in-person elections were overwhelming. That’s not to mention the amount of time it took to create posters and handouts for students.
Riggins also brought up the environmental benefits of virtual elections as paper isn’t being wasted on posters only to end up thrown away at the end of the week. In addition, she appreciated that candidates were given the creative liberty to choose what type of video they wanted to make.
“I think it was a way better way to get to know the candidates than having a regular speech,” Riggins says.
Though many believed virtual elections were a one-time deal, next year‘s election process is unclear. Virtual elections, or at least some aspects of them, may be here to stay.