Webbing Your Votes For The Election

Those that live in a democratic nation are given the right to vote for an elected official to represent them and their views to a larger government body that is formed through these same votes. This has been an age-long tradition since the invention of democracy. However, within the last decade, a new element has been added to a political candidate's considerations as he/she rallies for support in an upcoming election. 

In the early 1900's, the radio dominated as the primary medium in which a political candidate communicated their platform to voters. In the 1950's, the television became an important part in a candidate's campaign, with image and presentation now a factor. In today's campaigns and especially in those related to a younger student body, the internet may just be the thing that makes or breaks a candidate.

It is widely believed that the most recent US election, featuring presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain will be the last presidential election in which web presence did not play an overly large role in the election. However, it can be argued that Obama's cult-like following on the internet and growing numbers of supporters online raised awareness and led to his eventual victory.

The Simon Fraser Student Society, the body that represents the entire student population at Simon Fraser University is once again holding elections for lead spots in the student society. This year, both student body presidential candidates are using the power of the internet to garner votes. "Team SFU", led by presidential hopeful, Natalie Bocking has a website up with a complete profiles for each member of the team along with their team platform. They also have a Facebook group called Elect Team SFU: Students For U! to take advantage of the power of social networking. The other team in the race to lead the SFSS is led by hopeful Ada Nadison and also has their own Facebook group, called Ada Nadison for PRESIDENT of the Simon Fraser Student Society!

Both groups have around 450 members for a combined total of 900 members. Assuming all 900 of these members are SFU students and eligible to vote, this equates to roughly 62% of all voters. SFU School of Communication professor Darryl Cressman recently noted that in a lecture that voter turnout for SFSS elections is roughly 5% of the student population, or about 1,450 students. These numbers should put awareness at the top of candidates' priorities during the campaign. Online awareness is not as widespread for the independent runners and we may see the results of this in the upcoming elections.

One thing distinguishes Ada Nadison's group from Natalie Bocking's. Nadison's group allows for comments while Bocking's does not. A quick glance at Nadison's group "wall" will show that she does indeed have much genuine support for this upcoming election with mostly praise about her character and her efforts as a leader in the SFU community. Having said that, there is also the occasional negative comment. Fortunately for Nadison, it may not account for much because most if not all of the negativity was generated by a user known as Sarah Marie Bental, who posts with no evidence or facts to back her claims and is widely believed to not even be an SFU student. Possibly a decoy sent by Team SFU? Who knows.

With the debate and conversation generated on Nadison's group wall, my decision was almost made ascertain as to who I will be voting for in the upcoming election. Proof enough for me that internet marketing works. The answer to whether or not Nadison's great support and openness seen on the web will be the key to her victory and will be seen after the elections take place March 17-19.