Campaigning will become increasingly visible leading up to the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Presidential elections on Wednesday, as the two candidates struggle to win votes. A recent Daily poll showed that most students have yet to decide between current TCU vice president Melissa Carson and Judiciary (TCUJ) vice chair Alison Clarke.
The poll shows Clarke - with 36 percent support - leading Carson by 16 points, but the full 44 percent of undecided students will determine the ultimate victor.
Citing posters and chalking, many poll respondents remarked that this year's campaign has been more visible than in past years. This year, the Elections Board (ELBO) increased the spending limit for the campaign from its usual $150 budget to $200 and implemented a cap on donations.
ELBO chair Joe Coletti said that this year's campaign has rapidly intensified. "Compared to last year I don't think this campaign started off as heated," he said. "But I feel like as this campaign has progressed - with all the publicity- I think it's starting to become more competitive as it winds down now."
The election will be held online Wednesday, and outgoing TCU president Eric Greenberg says that will be the true test of the campaign.
"Right now it seems like one campaign on paper is more visible than the other." Greenberg said. "The only true poll is the actual election itself - that's your true tally. You can't take anything for granted until the day of election."
Both candidates said that the critical part of their campaign is meeting students. "The most important thing is to reach as many people as possible," Carson said. "Not just while you're campaigning, but while you're in office."
Clarke agreed. "I'm having fun campaigning. It's great to talk to a lot of students because I can't think of everything myself and people are coming up with good ideas."
The poll also revealed that seniors may not be voting in high numbers this year. Close to 70 percent of seniors polled said they would not be voting in the election. Some said they didn't know the candidates, and others cited lack of interest. "It's not necessarily fair to vote for something that doesn't affect us," one senior said.
Greenberg, however, encouraged seniors to vote. "I think seniors should vote because they've been here the longest, they know what works and what doesn't work," he said.
Some poll respondents said the high visibility of Clarke's campaign has influenced their vote. "She's the only one that's been publicized," Freshman Stephanie Albin said, citing posters in her dormitory's bathrooms.
Though Clarke's visibility may be helping her lead, allegations of breaking campaign rules by using campaign stickers may slow her down. Coletti said the problem was resolved by deducting $25 from Clarke's campaign spending limit. "I called and made sure she stopped giving them out and she did," Coletti said. Since the stickers were only on clothing and backpacks, the fine was small, but Coletti said a further violation would "mean possibly doubling the fine and possible restrictions to her campaign." ELBO is also investigating other allegations of campaign rules violations.
Students said they were voting for Carson because they had met her at club meetings. Freshman Carolina Schildknecht remarked about Carson's attendance at a meeting of the International Club. "I like the points [Carson] said," Schildknecht said. "I haven't met the other girl."
"We have very different styles of campaigning," Carson said. "[Clarke] is all about the advertising blitz and I'm talking to people and talking to groups about things that they care about."
Some, like sophomore Dave Geisler, criticized Carson for not making her platform more accessible. "I think Clarke wins the campaigning election," Geisler said. "She's getting her name out but I don't know what the other platform is about."
Sophomore Tyson Little agreed. "[Carson] hasn't gotten her name out," he said. "How can you vote for her if you don't know what her platform is?"
Greenberg says the large amount of undecided students will decide the vote on Wednesday. "It's still up in the air," Greenberg said. Both candidates said they will continue to campaign the way they have been for the remainder of the week. "I think its all about Wednesday and who remembers to vote." Carson said.
