Student Government elections are just around the corner. Maybe this time your vote will count. But after I conducted a quick survey of nearly 2,600 students, it seems clear they don’t care about elections. Still, those seeking office are going to try to convince you they are the best person for the job.I have attempted to observe candidates and ask questions any reporter would ask, but I’m curious as to what you would ask.The few students that have been meeting candidates are not asking tough, challenging questions. Instead they seem more interested in the free hats, buttons, stickers, signs and a handshake. While student leadership has a demanding schedule on occasion, I have to admit that I’ve seen more campaign signs than those answering questions. A few cameo appearances here and there in the Brickyard is a good start, but when the semester begins, organizations seeking appropriation dollars always seem to be left out. The bottom line is that candidates need to define a roadmap and agenda that is transparent, clear and easy to understand.Some of the candidates’ opportunities to do this were at the recent Student Government debate and in the “Focused” section in Tuesday’s Technician.Unfortunately, attendance at the debate was poor. Perhaps most of you were listening to the debates on WKNC or the online broadcast? But the few in attendance were engaged on student issues like classroom choices, student fees and transportation problems.A red flag for students was that those seeking Senate and other positions failed to attend the debates. The candidates seemed to disappear and appeared less concerned with students and the elections in general. Some candidates and students have raised concerns that perhaps the student body constitution needs to be amended to combine the Union Activities Board, Inter-Residence Council and other departments under the same umbrella — Student Government. Perhaps this suggestion will provide motivation for the candidates representing those groups to participate in future elections.Campaigns are at their peak. The problem is that students do not know enough about the candidates. I have asked students who their choices were and nearly 91 percent do not even know who is running or seem to care. Did the Talley Student Center referenda really do a number on the student body? If so, it’s showing.But perhaps students are simply disinterested not just because of Talley but because student leadership doesn’t seize the opportunity to engage the student body except during the few weeks of election campaigning. Accountability is one word that nearly all candidates mention in their campaigns. We have heard that spin before. One student body leader said during his campaign, “If students do not support Talley, then I will not support it.” The problem is the students did vote down the referenda, but it was passed anyway. The same candidates who voted for Talley are re-seeking office and nobody is confronting candidates about why we should place our confidence in them again.We hear the adage that politicians are not to be trusted. We the student body must hold candidates and elected student leaders accountable, opposed or unopposed. Only then can our trust be restored. Endorsements may be helpful, but all voters are just as important. If candidates are jumping up and down about an endorsement, then one has to wonder if that candidate is really attempting to reach out to all constituents.In return, it is the duty of students to question leadership and candidates so that we have a sharpened awareness as well as a plan of action. We need to collectively stop the high school popularity approach and vote according to who can best lead and convey student concerns to the administration and the Board of Trustees.Students want their favorite candidate to win. Before we let that happen, we need to know more about candidates and their agendas. Simply put, campaign Web sites, signs, free candy and other freebies should not determine the leadership we entrust to represent our concerns.