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The University of Maine Student Government election for student body president is too close to call: Brian Harris has 828 votes and Zachary Jackman has 825 votes. But because of several sealed ballots submitted by individuals whose names do not match those provided by UMaine Student Records, the results remain in doubt.
Nyssa Gatcombe was elected vice president of Student Government, with 1,372 votes, beating Timothy Smith, who had 815 votes.
The Fair Election Practices Commission said Thursday evening the names on the ballots yet to be counted are not on the list of students provided by Student Records, and that they are likely ineligible voters. FEPC Chair Skye Landry declined to comment on the number of sealed ballots in question and said the commission has to check with Student Records on Friday to confirm the voters are not in fact students.
Jackman congratulated Harris on winning the Student Government presidency on Thursday, but both declined to comment until after all the votes have been confirmed.
Landry and Matt Donahue, a member of the FEPC, both said the votes were likely not from eligible student voters, but neither said they were positive.
“We don’t want to throw out legitimate votes if there’s a reason they aren’t on the list,” Donahue said.
Landry said the list of names provided by Student Records was up to date for the Thursday of the election. She said 2,455 people voted in the election — a record turnout for the university.
“I thought I had a chance, but obviously both of them ran good campaigns, so I lost. It’s how the cookie crumbles,” said current Vice President Ross Wolland on Thursday. Wolland received 519 votes.
Gatcombe said she had been nervous on Thursday. She said the campaign was difficult but a lot of fun.
“It feels great to finally have it over with and win,” Gatcombe said.
Gatcombe said she first plans to track down former vice presidents of Student Government and learn from their experiences before she takes office.
“It was a good campaign. I’m cool with the results,” said Smith. “Thats how it is.” He said he will continue in his role as chairperson of the Policy and Procedures Committee and as a student senator.
Wolland said he will continue in his role as current vice president until he must step down in December.
