The Student Activity Center’s Caucus Room stood divided as the newly elected student government representatives were announced Wednesday, with just under half of the winners coming from the “Boop” campaign.
11.4 percent of the UW-Madison student body participated in the Associated Students of Madison’s spring elections, completing over 4,500 ballots.
Mickey Stevens, chair the ASM Student Elections Commission said he was happy to surpass the 2009 benchmark of 9 percent voter turnout.
“I’m actually fairly surprised about the turnout,” Stevens said. “11.4 percent is a very good turnout for not having any referendums on the ballot at all.”
Group members said “Boop” is a student reform group with the goal to incorporate greater transparency and student outreach in ASM.
Nikolas Magallon, ASM Diversity Committee Chair and member of the “Boop” campaign, said while he would have liked more “Boop” members to win, he is optimistic about the upcoming year.
“I think that we will be able to do some good things this upcoming year and speak the truth at the table,” Magallon said. “Whatever is said and whatever happens on campus, we need to respond truthfully and have the integrity to do so.”
Sarah Neibart, current Student Services Finance Committee chair and elected representative for the College of Letters of Science praised her fellow contenders.
“There was a lot of very qualified candidates, but the candidates that were elected are some of the best students and are really invested in campus politics and students rights,” Neibart said.
Stevens said students have five days to file an election violation complaint before council positions for the upcoming fiscal year are finalized.
