SGA tackles campaign finance reform

Elizabeth Erwin
News Editor
eerwin1@murraystate.edu

Moments before the newly elected 82nd Senate of the Student Government Association was sworn in, the former senators of the 81st Senate voted to pass changes to election procedures.

The changes include the introduction of campaign spending limits and regulations on candidates running together on a ticket.

Now presidential candidates running together with an executive vice president candidate will not be able to spend more than $875 on their campaign. Senators will not be able to spend more than $400.

The new procedures will also require candidates to disclose the source of any political donations they receive. Donations will only be able to be received from student organizations or individuals associated with Murray State.

“There were no spending caps with the last election,” Connor Moore, former director of the Election Ways and Means Committee said. “Candidates could spend however much money they wanted on their campaigns.”

Across the board, members of the 81st SGA voiced concerns for past elections being focused more on exposure than candidate ideas.

“The bill will make SGA elections more idea driven rather than money driven now that every candidate is on a level playing field when it comes to finances,” former Chief of Staff and bill author Aaron Sexton said.

By imposing spending limits, Sexton and Moore believe it will encourage more students to run.

“The election process is more level than ever and students should be eager to use this to run for a position in the student senate,” Sexton said.

Campaign finance isn’t an unfamiliar topic for university student governments.

“This bill helps the Murray State SGA fall more in line with other student governments across the state and the nation as a whole,” Sexton said. “From my research it is very, very rare for an SGA to not have these spending limits in place.”

Sexton mentioned the spending policies of several universities during the meeting including Appalachian State University which has a $750 limit for presidential candidates.

“This bill will help ensure the integrity of the Murray State SGA and will make elections more fair and more in depth than ever,” Sexton said.

With electoral procedures behind them, the 82nd Senate decided to move forward during their first meeting on April 25 by approving a resolution to support the Executive Council Strategic Initiatives.

The initiatives outline the priorities for SGA for the upcoming academic year and include emphasis on increasing university enrollment and increasing diversity within SGA.

For those interested in getting involved with SGA, the current vacancies are for two Richmond College Senators and one senator for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts.

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