Both USG presidential tickets cited for violating elections code

EXCLUSIVE: After deliberations that began at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and concluded around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Undergraduate Student Government Elections Commission determined both presidential tickets had committed violations of the elections code.

Matt Arkfeld and Alex Cascante were cited for not using the “Vote On” logo on their campaign shirts, the Elections and Recruitment Committee wrote in their decision. USG Election Code Article VII Section D 2 stipulates that all candidates are required to display a “Vote On” logo on their campaign shirts.

They were also cited for violating Election Code Article VI Sections A, B and C for distributing campaign photographs online during the research period, which is prior to Feb. 4 at midnight, when campaigning begins.

Christian Kurth and Ryan Park were cited for violating Article II Section A3 and Article IX Section C by communicating with a currently seated USG member, who was CC’d on an email between supporters, and for violating Article IX Sections E and F for improperly using USG logos, and thus implying USG endorsed the candidates, on photos posted to Instagram.

The sanctions stipulate that both presidential and vice presidential tickets must remove all campaign material along Trousdale Parkway for the remainder of the campaign period. The material had to be removed by Wednesday at 8 a.m.

The Arkfeld-Cascante ticket and their team members will also not be allowed to campaign Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Trousdale Parkway between Child’s Way and 34th Street or in front of the Ronald Tutor Campus Center.
Both Arkfeld and Cascante declined to comment on the decision. Kurth and Park did not respond to a request to comment.

Both complaints were filed Monday. Cody Rapp, a former Greek senator who has endorsed the Kurth-Ryan ticket, filed the official complaint against the Arkfeld-Cascante ticket. The Arkfeld-Cascante ticket brought the complaint against the Kurth-Park ticket.

Immediately after a complaint is filed, the elections commission takes a vote to determine if it is worthy of having a trial. If the commissioners decide it is worthy, a trial is set at a time when all parties can meet.

“We have this process in order to guarantees a fair race and make sure that people are held accountable,” said Alex Sellers, co-director of USG elections and recruitment. “Then, each candidate has the opportunity to do their best.”

Correction:  A previous version contained a typo that “USG members” received campaign materials from the Kurth-Park ticket. One member was CC’d on an email.  The Daily Trojan regrets the error.