While the proposed reform to the Associated Students of Madison constitution was not passed after the two-day election Monday and Tuesday, officials said there is still a chance to change the student government.
""I'm sure that ASM will try to reform in any way they can because it's very well understood that reform needs to happen,"" Election Commission chair Katherine Tondrowski said.
Constitutional Committee chair Jeff Wright said he was hopeful that because the majority wants to see reform happen, meaningful discussions would be possible in the future.
""While students believe ASM needs reform, it's clear that the majority wants to see reform happen within the current structure,"" he said in a statement. ""I respect the election's outcome.""
Fifteen percent of students voted in the election, which is an unusually high turnout among student voters.
""I was very, very excited to see that 15 percent of the student body voted,"" Tondrowski said. ""That is much bigger than I expected, or anyone expected.""
Tondrowski also said the election process as a whole ran relatively efficiently.
""Everything went smoothly, so that was a success in my mind,"" she said.
ASM members remain hopeful despite the failure of the constitution. However, no leaders have publicized an alternative course of action for reform.
