By: Martin Makaryan

Edited By: Alexandra Huggins

The SAIS student government elections are here. They may not be as consequential as the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, but you should pause and think for a moment before casting your vote. 

Many people may disagree, but student government elections can be very fun and very heated — just like real elections (which are also quite high stakes, right?)! I personally witnessed this during my time on the Undergraduate Students Association Elections Board at UCLA, where I led the “FBI” arm of the student organization in charge of running and overseeing the elections. As Director of Investigations, I saw firsthand how the competitiveness and the flaming desire to win could push candidates towards “dirty” tactics or outright inappropriate conduct. 

I do not expect such toxicity for any of the races for positions in SGA, of course, not least because SAIS is such a small school compared to the 30,000-strong undergraduate student body of UCLA. At the same time, I have been concerned that because of the size of the school, the elections may be reduced to mere popularity contests — something SAISers, many of whom will (hopefully) go on to become leaders in politics, industry, business etc., should not allow to happen. 

This is what pushed me to write this informal guide for my peers, based on my limited but valuable experience with student government and actual elections. As you head to the “polls” to cast your vote for the “government” to represent you next year, here are five things that you should look for as you evaluate the choices on the “ballot.”

Motivations for Running

Let’s face it, in the hypercompetitive environment of Washington, D.C., people will do anything to stand out. Having been in student government is quite a badge for career advancement, and it makes sense for many students to aspire to gain this leadership experience for their own personal reasons. But there are also students who, in addition to career advancement or personal growth, are also driven by an inner call to service or a genuine passion to give back. They may be passionate about an idea they have for next year or perhaps they are really (like really, really) angry with a particular issue that persists in the school. Listen to them and pick up those hints for that flaming passion that may have pushed them to run for office and consider a candidate’s motivations as you evaluate whether they deserve your vote. 

Beware the Empty Talk 

Ooh, la la! If only I had a dime for every time I have heard a student government candidate use the typical buzzwords just to fill space — the same way we fill space in the essays for classes we do not like or have not studied for — essentially using way too many words to say way too little. I will not outline the specific buzzwords or devalued terms that may be used (alongside virtue signaling) to get your vote but beware and think critically about what the candidates are actually saying. 

Test their Approachability 

The last thing you, as a student voter, should want is to have a representative in the student government who took your vote and disappeared from student life and the campus, nowhere to be found. Anyone running for a student government office should be reasonably available on a regular basis for the larger student body for questions, concerns, and feedback. Before casting your vote for anyone, take the time to test how approachable they are. Is it easy to find or contact them when you need your representative to hear what you have to say? Are they open to questions or criticism? Those are questions you should ask and test them in real life with the candidates to decide who deserves your vote most.

Courage and Determination

Being in student government is not as easy as some people may think. It requires not just good communication skills and public speaking to get elected, but a certain type of personality that knows when to be diplomatic and knows when to betough and ready to push boundaries. This is especially true because SGA represents all of us with the SAIS administration. Some people may naturally (or for other reasons) be more inclined towards a default “conciliatory” setting, but with a multitude of issues and priorities facing the student community at our new campus, SAIS needs bold student leaders more than ever. Think about who has the courage and determination to advocate on your behalf when needed, not just someone to serve as a diplomatic courier. 

Acta Non Verba

Ah, my favorite: “deeds, not words.” This Latin phrase is as true as ever, especially for student government elections. Realistically speaking, candidates do not really have to abide by anything they may have promised during the campaigning once they are elected. And this is really where the test of your critical thinking skills lies: Will you be able to holistically and accurately evaluate a candidate’s background, experience, and, most importantly, track record — whether in office or in other professional or academic settings — of achievements and a “let’s get things done” attitude? To make an informed decision, it is imperative to look beyond what the candidate is saying and analyze and assess their promises and words with their history and track record. Ask the candidates questions, challenge their positions, and push harder to get a glimpse beyond the campaign rhetoric.