Although the election results were announced Tuesday evening, the final presidential office positions will not be known until Thursday.
4,044 students voted in the election. Gavin Harrison and Meredith Mason received 1,493 votes, or 37.95 percent of the vote . Khari Cyrus and Nate Bridgers received 1,244 votes, or 31.62 percent. Neither candidates received the 40 percent of the vote needed to win. The two tickets will be in a runoff election for the Student Body President, having bested the ticket consisting of Chris Becker and Kelly Elder, which received 1197 votes, or 30.42 percent, falling 47 votes short of the Cyrus/Bridgers Ticket.
Cyrus and Harrison both expressed enthusiasm for the continuation of the campaign, though the the extension gives them an extra day.
“I’m looking forward to it. We’re still in campaign mode,” Cyrus said. “A week with good weather would be plenty. Maybe a week beforehand to prepare for the campaign and set up the appropriate meetings before the real campaign begins.”
Gavin Harrison, Student Body President candidate said that he expected a run-off.
“We’re not gonna give up, but reach out to more organizations,” Harrison said.
Voting for the runoff election will take place from 8 a.m until 8 p.m. Thursday.
Cody Long, the incumbent Student Senate President, was re-elected. Karli Moore, head of the appropriations committee, was elected Student Body Treasurer. Thomas Pulliam was elected Student Body Chief Justice. Hunter Stag was elected Senior Class President. Blaise Bolemon was elected Union Activities President. Carter Long was elected Student Centers Board of Directors President.
The elections were not extended due to the new campaign schedule this year said Guy Lampe, a member of the Elections committee.
“We have to factor in time for run-off elections and spring break is next week. Logistically we couldn’t make that happen,” Lampe said.
Regarding the new campaign cycle, Harrison said he felt there were both positives and negatives to the new system.
“One big problem with it this year was all the snow. We really only had 3 days to campaign,” Harrison said.
Due to inclement weather, candidates had three days to campaign during normal university hours.
Student body presidential candidate Gavin Harrison shakes the hand of an attendee at the election announcment in Talley Student Center on March 3rd. A total of 4,044 students voted resuting in a runoff election between Harrison and Cyrus. A new round of voting will decide which of these two will be the new president.
