Election week for the Student Government Association is fast approaching, and the organization is worried about low turnouts and a shortage of candidates after a disappointing election last semester. The result? Many of Columbia’s departments could go unrepresented and unheard.

“Voting turnout has gone down dramatically in the past few years, and last semester’s turnout was pretty pitiful,” said Zach Dexter, SGA vice president.

SGA has had trouble getting the student body to vote in semester elections, despite steps taken to make the process easy and convenient. Polling stations will be set up from April 20 until April 24 at multiple locations on campus, and students can cast votes from anywhere on Oasis.

“I would assume voting online would be the easiest and most popular option, but it’s not,” Dexter said. “We mostly set up polling stations to make it more of an event.”

SGA is also hoping to get their message out at the Manifest T-shirt pick-up before the election.  After budgeting problems arose for this year’s Manifest festival, SGA volunteered to pay for the free Manifest T-shirts available for students. This year, the T-shirts will be available for pick-up a week prior to the elections, from April 14 through April 18, in the Loft at 619 S. Wabash Ave.

“It worked out nicely that both events are happening around the same time,” said Jessica Valerio, SGA president. “We hope students are excited to come out and pick them up.  And we’re going to tell them about the elections and encourage people to vote.”

Executive board members are also concerned about unrepresented departments on campus. Eight senate seats will be open after senior senators graduate, in addition to seats that are already vacant.

Departments such as Music and American Sign Language have not been represented all year, and SGA senators have been in contact with department leaders and faculty members in an effort to find interested and well-suited candidates to represent departments in the organization.

“We are looking for these people to come out and get involved, because it really is important that their departments are equally represented,” Dexter said.

The deadline for applying to run for a seat has passed, but Dexter wants interested students to keep in contact with the SGA. During a semester, if an interested student approaches the SGA about an open seat, that person can then be appointed by sitting members. No late applications will be accepted due to online voting, which takes time to organize prior to an election.

“We are currently amending our constitution, but I am sure we will have a very similar rule about appointments,” Dexter said. “So, students who missed the deadline are welcome to come to meetings next semester and look into getting involved.”

Valerio said she is hoping the efforts taken this semester will bring more students out and create more involvement in the campus community. Valerio also urges students to support SGA because she said it is the most direct link between students and the administration.

“We have a great relationship with the administration and we really do get a lot of things done here,” Valerio said. “The only reason we are here is to represent the students and communicate the needs and wants of the student body.”

This year, SGA has accomplished quite a few goals for the student body, including a request that administration practice more transparency with course fees.

The group has also lobbied for Metra discounts for students and is helping administration achieve textbook affordability.

“You should come out and vote for SGA for the same reasons you vote in any election,” Dexter said. “Because you are being represented by a democratic body.”

Online voting begins April 20.  Students can vote under the Students Section of Oasis under the Student Government Elections tab.

For a complete list of times and polling locations, check back with The Chronicle next week.

The Manifest T-shirt distribution will take place on April 14 and 16, from Noon to 8 p.m., and April 15 and 17  from 9 a.m.  to 5 p.m., at the 916 building, 916 S. Wabash Ave., on the 4th floor.