The four referenda that Tufts Election Commission (ECOM) originally added to the April 28 Tufts Community Union (TCU) presidential ballot have been rescheduled to be voted on in a separate May 3 ballot in order to abide by ECOM bylaws.
Two of the referenda were concerning amendments to the TCU constitution's language, referenda procedures and provisions for TCU committees. The third and fourth concerned competing proposals for changes to Senate's community representative position.
Following ECOM's announcement about the addition of the four referenda to the ballot, juniors Christopher Snyder and David Peck submitted appeals to the TCU Judiciary asking for them to be removed, claiming violations of ECOM's bylaws.
They specifically cited bylaws requiring that referenda be received and explained briefly on ECOM's website at least seven academic days before the vote and that ECOM advertise the full text of the referenda seven days before the vote.
The Judiciary hearing on the matter scheduled for last night was cancelled after ECOM decided to move the vote on the referenda to May 3.
"It was pointed out to me that due to the fact that we were delayed in advertising for the referenda … it would be wiser to have the election on the third," ECOM Chair Sharon Chen, a sophomore, said. "I realize that some people think that it is not the ideal time but … ECOM can only follow its bylaws, and to have it on Wednesday would be too early."
Chen added that the full text of the referenda would be available as of last night.
Snyder explained that he decided to appeal because he believed that referenda should be adequately advertised.
"Two years ago, there were a set of referenda put on ballot without adequate notice; these rules were designed to prevent this from happening again," he said. "If ECOM is allowed to bend these rules at will, we are going to end up where we were two years ago … The more time in advance to the vote there is, the greater opportunity that both sides have to carefully debate the issues that the referenda bring up."
Addressing concerns that separating the vote for the referenda from that of the TCU president could result in low turnout for the referenda vote, Chen expressed her hope that this would not be the case.
"I understand that … this entire time period is stressful, and I do encourage everyone to vote," she said. "Last year, we did manage to have an election on the last day of classes, and we had a pretty good turn out … The reason why we have all these rules is to make people aware and to encourage a higher turnout."
Snyder acknowledged the difficulties associated with this date change but noted that these could be overcome.
"It's going to harder than just placing it on the presidential ballot," he said. "However, when you look at past elections … the presidential ballot is no guarantee for adequate turnout for the referenda itself."
