SA announces election timeline
The Student Association’s director of elections Natalie Wang announced the election timeline in a senate meeting this Monday. Campaigning begins on Feb. 12 and ends on Feb. 26, with the voting period open for a week afterwards. Election results will be announced March 6 around noon.
Interested candidates can attend an informational session Jan. 31 about petitions, which are due Feb. 5 at midnight.
Last year’s election received a voter turnout of 42.09%, nearly triple 2023’s turnout of 15.02%. Jae Kim was elected over Trevor Tobey for president, receiving 64% of first-place votes compared to Tobey’s 34.2%.
The ballot for this year contains races for the executive positions of president, internal vice president, external vice president, secretary and treasurer. In addition, four Honor Council positions from the sophomore to senior class, a total of 12, are up for election. Lastly, executive positions of blanket tax organizations are on the ballot, including but not limited to the Rice Thresher’s Editor in Chief, Rice Program Council president and the University Court chair.
Also on the ballot will be a number of constitutional amendments, proposing, among other things, an increase in the blanket tax, a formation of an academics committee and sweeping revisions to the SA constitution.
Petitions to declare election candidacy are due to the RMC info desk Feb. 5, and campaign statements and pictures are due to Wang through the SA elections email.
On Feb. 10, Wang will be holding a candidate meeting for those who are running, to explain election regulations such as campaign financing.
Campaigns are expected to adhere to the same rules as last year’s special election, with the campaign season lasting two weeks from Feb. 12 at 7 a.m. to Feb. 26 at noon.
Students can find candidates’ statements and photos on the SA website when campaigning begins, and the Thresher will be hosting a Student Associate debate at Willy’s Pub during the two weeks of campaigning.
More from The Rice Thresher
In the shadow of NOD: New Wiess public met with mixed reviews
Wiess College hosted Masks After Dark on Jan. 25, its inaugural new public, which debuted months after administration permanently canceled the Night of Decadence. NOD, Wiess’ themed underwear party, had run for five decades — and was so risqué, it allegedly garnered Playboy attention — before excessive drinking and hospitalizations drove the party to its early death in October 2023.
Proposed amendments revamp constitution
The Student Association Constitutional Revisions Committee announced four potential constitutional amendments at a Jan. 27 Senate meeting. The amendments include correcting typos, restructuring the blanket tax allocations process, clarifying election rules and potentially reshaping the power structure of the Senate.
Future of Rice research uncertain amid possible federal funding freeze
The White House announced a pause on all federal grants and loans Jan. 27. The freeze was slated to go into effect Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. EST — just minutes before the clock hit, a federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze, effective until Feb. 3.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.