Tonight the University Court will decide the fate of the Student Government election slated to be held tomorrow. And students should attend the meeting tonight at 8:15 to voice their opinion on the matter.
The status of the elections has wavered through the day. There have been talks of postponing the election to sort through disagreements about who is a valid candidate.
The disagreement concerns whether Paul Dietzel II should appear on the ballot after being disqualified last night.
This afternoon an injunction was issued by two University Court members, Derrik Petit and Amanda Exner, to return Dietzel to the ballot.
Meetings between all four candidates, Dean of Students KC White, current president Chris Odinet and Commissioner of Elections Eric St. Pierre, took place to discuss the disagreement, and it was agreed that the election would occur.
Ultimately the decision to allow Dietzel on the ticket is in the hands of the University Court hearing set to begin at 8:15 p.m. And given the nature of the electronic ballot, the decision must by made by 9:30 p.m.
If the University Court does not decide by 9:30 p.m., Dietzel will appear on the ballot. If the court then decides after 9:30 p.m. to remove Dietzel, then the entire election will be invalidated.
The problem could be compounded if a technical error occurs, and because of the back-and-forth nature of Dietzel’s status, he is incorrectly omitted from the ballot, but the court rules he should be there. The election will also be invalidated.
If the election is deemed invalid for any reason a second election will have to be held.
The timeliness of this issue makes it pressing for this board to issue an opinion on the situation in an unconventional manner, such as through our Web site.
It has become apparent in the past 24 hours that the elections have moved from being about students and platforms to bickering in the University Court between candidates and their counsels.
The proper decision is simple. Allow students to decide.
The first case is being challenged tonight because one of the University Court members worked on an opposing ticket. The court is too tied into the candidates and their supporters to issue a fair decision.
Instead allow the public forum to hear the case. And let the verdict be decided by how they cast their votes.
Place all four presidential candidates on the ballot. Let the infighting and disagreements stop.
The election should not be decided in the courtroom. It will be a sad day when LSU SG elections compare to the bickering and court decisions this country was criticized for after the 2000 federal elections.
Just let the students decide.