By Juliana Stumpp

A&E Editor

Election season for the 2013-2014 Associated Students Inc. officer positions is approaching. Here are five things to know about the upcoming vote.

1) There are three types of elections: The regular election is called “general election,” where students vote for executives or representatives of colleges, like the College of Business Administration. The time of elections falls the same time every year, during spring semester, one week before spring break. If elections are recalled or other issues come up, there is a “special election” which is held through the discretion of the current ASI Board of Directors. This was what happened last year after the case of election fraud that led to the on-campus arrest of former student Matt Weaver. Lastly, a “run-off election” is typically unusual because it exists if there is a tie between two or more candidates. These are held the second or third week after the general or special elections.

2) Undergraduate vs. Graduate: Qualifications for candidates vary among academic standing. If you are an undergraduate student, you are required to have completed at least one semester at CSUSM and have earned at least six units. For graduate students, you must complete three units for at least one semester prior to the elections and have received a bachelor’s degree within the past three years at CSUSM.

3) Write-in Candidates: If you don’t agree with any of the candidates, there is a special space on the ballot where you can write in someone’s name. The write-in candidate can only run for one office and inform the Elections Committee of their plan to run for office by completing paperwork. However, a write-in candidate isn’t debarred  from candidate qualifications.

4) Advertising Limitations: All candidates have rules as to what they are allowed to advertise to the voters. For example, each candidate gives a campaign statement that must not exceed 350 words and is given a $500 spending limit on campaign finances. The candidate is required to provide receipts of their spending to ASI Corporate Office before election result day. There also specific rules to what the signs say or promote. Any signs that are not approved by University Facilities and/or Election Committee will not be shown.

5) Change of Mind: Candidates that win the election are able to resign before a month after accepting their position. The second highest votes from that category will replace the former winner. If that candidate declines the position, then the incoming Board of Directors will be hiring for the unfulfilled position using a 2/3 vote.