Candidates were released to rove the campus and plan their attack after Board of Elections members unloaded pages of current election laws and petition forms at the election kick-off meeting Tuesday.
At the meeting, students officially declared their candidacy for the offices of student body president, Carolina Athletic Association president, Graduate and Professional Student Federation president, Residence Hall Association president, rising senior class officers and Student Congress members.
Board of Elections Chairman Jeremy Tuchmayer kicked off the meeting by introducing the members of the board and explaining the organization's role in the elections process. "Our philosophy for the election is this: Our aim is to be a behind-the-scenes player in (the election)," Tuchmayer said.
He stressed the importance of following the election laws and adhering to the different residence hall canvassing policies.
Tuchmayer said it is in the candidates' best interests not to engage in any activity that would require the Board of Elections to take action against their campaign.
"I prefer not to see my picture in the paper," Tuchmayer said. "If my picture's in the paper, it usually means (the Board of Elections) had to do something."
Addressing door-to-door campaigning, Tuchmayer said that senior class candidates are prohibited from canvassing residence halls, but that all other candidates can campaign in residence halls from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
Along the same guidelines, Tuchmayer said the Board of Elections prohibited candidates from sliding campaign materials under students' residence hall doors. "You can talk to them, have them fill out your petition, hand them a flier, but you cannot slide it under their doors," Tuchmayer told the 43 candidates.
Along with the election laws, potential candidates received petition forms to get their names on the ballot.
