In Monday’s Forum Daniel Milstein identified a serious flaw in the CS40 and class council elections: freshmen don’t vote, don’t know or don’t care. The reason students don’t treat the elections seriously is not because of a lack of time or interest, it is because the candidates don’t treat the campaigns seriously.
The kinds of campaign tactics candidates for CS40 and SU elections use pale in comparison to those used by “real” candidates, and thus the results should surprise no one. Without spending much money, there are still plenty of tactics a candidate could use to promote their campaign.
Take a poll. Before any candidate runs they use small groups to test their messages, positions and figure out what issues matter to people. Use the three floors in your dorm for this, since you know these people will vote for you no matter what.
Get free media. They don’t need to write a book or even make a complicated TV or newspaper ad. They should write op-eds for Student Life, or a letter to the editor. We can endorse candidates, and simply getting name recognition is what you really need.
While the candidates already have space to submit a statement, you need to use these to outline a simple message and a few action items. No one cares that you were on high school student council.
Candidates should debate. Get a few upperclassmen council members who know what it’s like to serve in the positions to moderate and ask questions. Do this in the swamp or by the Clocktower, anywhere prominent. Again, this increases exposure for everyone and makes the election seem more legit.
Talk to previous council members. The goal of “building class unity” is so broad and no freshmen have any leadership experience at Wash U that they need to seek advice. The same way Kerry is talking with Clinton’s advisors and Bush picked up his dad’s friends, asking a sophomore or junior what worked and what didn’t would allow a candidate to focus on real policies and ideas.
Come up with a slogan. Bush has basically given this one to you. Regardingly class unity, hmmm, “uniter not a divider?” Put it on away messages and post it around campus.
Host a rally. Simply having a bunch of people in the swamp cheering for someone on top of a milk crate will get attention. We all know freshmen move in packs anyway, use it to your campaign’s advantage. Then post pictures of you with cheering people holding signs everywhere.
Hold a mini-convention. Invite people who support you from dorms. Have your friends tell cute stories about you. Drop balloons. Do it in Center Court. Make a scene.
Approach other campus groups and speak to their specific concerns. Have a friend in each group who can make an announcement or endorsement for you. Try for time to give a speech, and focus it for that group.
Talk to people. This is easy, just walk around and introduce yourself to people and give them a business card or address label or whatever cheap way you’ve decided to promote yourself. Walk around the dorms or through Bear’s Den.
Sign up volunteers. This relates to the last point. If someone seems to really agree with your views (and based on your message testing you should have a lot), ask them to volunteer for you. Just having them vote and bring three friends should be enough.
Host a house party. Have friends in different dorms invite their floor mates and give them food. Then show up and give a short, professional speech. Hand out more flyers and cards and shake hands.
By following this advice, on Election Day every student should know your name, what you stand for, and why their voting for you will make a difference. Now if you’ll excuse me I have a real campaign to follow.