University of Virginia Library

In Coming Election

Calvert Explains Voting Policy

By Grafty Biddle

Discussing the controversial
issue of handling ballot tabulations
in the upcoming Student Council
elections, in relation to the write-in
candidacy sponsored by the
First-Year Committee, the Political
Societies and Elections Committee
met Tuesday night.

Gordon Calvert, chairman of the
committee, told The Cavalier Daily
yesterday that the write-in ballots
would not disqualify an entire
ballot. Thus, a student may cast all
of his votes for any four candidates
of his choice.

Write-In Votes

On Tuesday Mr. Calvert felt that
the write-in ballots would not be
counted, but continued to say that
Jim Roebuck, chairman of the
sub-committee for counting the
ballots, said that he would count
the write- in votes. Mr. Calvert
noted that they would not be
included in the release on the
election results.

He added that if the First-Year
Committee wishes to know the
results of their write-in appeal, they
should contact Mr. Roebuck. Pat
Saul, a member of the Political
Societies and Elections Committee,
noted that the write-in votes would
not count in the election.

Since write-in candidates do not
register for the election,
technically, they are not eligible to
run for a Student Council position.
This makes it impossible for
write-in votes to count.

It was also noted by Mr. Calvert
that if a voter does write in the
name of the First-Year Committee's
candidate, the vote is a protest
vote, since under the present
Student Council constitution a
first-year man is ineligible to run
for Council.

There will, however, be an
amendment on the same ballot that
will make it possible for a first-year
student to be a council member.
For approval of the amendment, at
least 60 per cent of the full- time
students must participate in the
upcoming elections, and a majority
of these voters respond positively
to this issue.

When asked what other issues
were discussed at the meeting, Mr.
Calvert said that the committee
would check the voting machines
and make certain that the ballot
boxes were out. He added that the
basis for the meeting was to discuss
the handling of the write-in ballots,
and that the other matters were
secondary.

Large Turnout

When asked what his feelings
were on the general progression and
outcome of the meeting, Mr.
Calvert answered, "I have no strong
sentiments one way or another."
Mr. Calvert is hopeful of a large
turnout at the polls with the
addition of voting machines.'