To give students a little push to the poles, or in this case their computers, Associated Students Inc. will give away prizes after the ASI election voting process.
When students cast their votes, they will be assigned a number and entered into a computer-generated drawing, according to Nam Duong, ASI government elections officer. Seven winners will be chosen at random and awarded a prize after the voting period ends.
According Duong, the prizes include an iPad mini, a $50 Amazon gift card, a $25 Starbucks gift card, a $25 Subway gift card, a $25 Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf gift card and two 2013 fall semester parking passes.
Through offering prizes, ASI is hoping to increase voter turnout from past elections. In the 2012, 4,869 students or 14.5 percent of the student body voted, setting the record for the highest voter turnout in the history of Cal State Long Beach. In the 2011 election, only 2,941 students voted.
ASI wants to see 6,800 students, or 20 percent of the student body, vote in this year’s election, according to Kim Tabari, Board of Elections member and assistant director of student involvement and leadership for ASI. Tabari said the national average voter turnout level in student government elections on college campuses is 10 percent.
Starting Friday, CSULB students will have the opportunity to vote on referendums and for candidates running for positions in the legislative and executive branches of ASI.
The ASI election will continue through Wednesday; students will receive their ballot via email.
Students seeking more information on the ASI elections can pick up a voter guide at the ASI office in room 311 of the University Student Union or visit the ASI student government website.
The winners of the drawing and the election results will be announced at noon on March 28 at the Southwest terrace of the USU. Prizes will also be distributed on March 28; however, winners of the election prizes do not need to be present to receive their prize.
