Disqualified candidate understands decision

By D. Lynn Bond
The Collegian

Early campaigning on MySpace and Facebook caused the Election Commission to disqualify a potential Associated Students presidential candidate from running.

The use of MySpace and Facebook is considered “formal campaigning” under the election code due to the fact that they are published on the Internet.

Ryan Caglia, AS committe member and human resource management major said he first heard of his problems regarding his election violations after someone complained to the Election Commission.

Caglia said several of his friends on Myspace and Facebook had comments and graphics talking about his campaign. He said he also made references of his intention to run on his profiles.

The Election Commission asked Caglia to immediately correct the violation of election code.

Caglia said he attempted to remove the references of his intention to run for office from Myspace and Facebook. However, in doing so he also made comments that according to the Election Commission “intended to let his readers know that he was not dropping out of the campaign and still running for office.”
Election Commission Advisor Deborah Napolean said policies were properly followed regarding Caglia’s disqualification.

“Several different people brought it to the Election Commission attention,” Napoleon said. “Just talking to his friends would not have been considered formal campaigning.”

The decision was made by the Election Commission, which oversees the Associated Students elections. They are also responsible for enforcing the election code.

Napoleon said the rules are provided to potential candidates when they pick up a petition to run for office. The election code specifies campaigning cannot begin until March 22, after the mandatory candidate meeting.

Caglia said he was aware of the election code, however he had not yet taken out a petition or read the election code.

Despite the disqualification, Caglia said he does not harbor hard feelings towards AS and the Election Commission.

“I will still be involved with AS through my committee position, and would be happy to serve AS in the same capacity next year if the AS President nominated me.” Caglia said.

Caglia appealed to Dean of Student Affairs Paul Oliaro but he upheld the Election Commission decision.
Caglia said he is understanding of the decision.

“If the election code covers that type of campaigning then I am happy with the decision made,” Caglia said.

The official campaigns for others running in the AS elections will begin on Wednesday evening, and the elections will be held from April 4-6.

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