By Connie Lee and Hannah Smith, Apr. 19, 2021
Aliza Ortega and Daniel Foncello were announced as the next ASI president and vice president on April 14, during the ASI Elections Announcement Party, after three days of students voting.
The 2022 ASI Elections were the first held in person in two years. With a total of 737 ballots cast, turnout was about 2.5% of the student population — representing an 86% increase compared to 2021.
During the pandemic, less than 100 students voted, according to ASI Elections Chair Victoria Flores. To increase voter turnout this election season, voters received coupons to the Bronco Bookstore and raffle opportunities to win gift cards. ASI also hosted town halls, tabled, provided ASI “swag” such as dad hats and pencils, free food and facilitated in-person campaigning to create voter engagement.
Candidates spread the word to vote online, putting up posters across campus, campaigning on class Discord servers and talking to students during U-hour.
“Putting yourself out there no matter how much it is definitely helps in the long run,” said Flores. “The people that I saw campaign themselves more are the people who won so it is way more effective.”
Two years ago, during the ASI Elections, nominees were only given the chance to voice their names and projected plans through social media. The online platforms that were used to promote the running nominees were ineffective, according to Flores.
Ortega, a communication student and current ASI officer of internal affairs and Foncello, an economics student and current CLASS senator shared their excitement for their upcoming term.
“We’re not going to say that change is going to happen tomorrow,” said Ortega. “No, we’re going to have to progressively better the campus and work toward it every day to make it better, and by giving students a voice, it’s one small step we could do to make the campus better.”
At the Election Announcement Party, attendees received free lunch and ASI hats before the election results were announced. Along with the position of president and vice president being elected, the ASI senators to represent their colleges and student councils were also announced.
Alham Garcia for College of Science Senator, Raneen Vace was elected CLASS Senator, Guillermo Nila for College of Engineering Senator, Ilke Suzer for College of Environmental Design Senator, Naman Pandadiya for College of Business Senator, Esperanza Lopez for College of Agriculture Senator, Jacob Reyes for Senator At-Large: Student Interest Council, Ryan Beacham for Senator At-Large: Cultural Council and Natalie Padilla for Senator At-Large: Greek Council.
Raneen Vace, a political science student and incoming CLASS senator, shared her experience with leadership, and her eagerness to join student government at Cal Poly Pomona.
“I’m excited to work with this new government and board,” said Vace. “There are some really great candidates that have won, and I’m really excited to see what they bring to the table and to work with them and to really leave a mark at Cal Poly Pomona and help students.”
To view the full list of election winners and the vote counts, students can visit the ASI website.
