Unless nearly three times more students vote today than Wednesday, this year’s Student Association executive elections will have the lowest turnout in at least 10 years.

SA Elections Commissioner Alfred Tatum said about 800 ballots were cast Wednesday, which pales in comparison to last year’s first-day turnout of about 2,150 students.

The 1990 elections produced a record 3,783 votes.

According to records from The Northern Star, there was never a turnout below 2,000 students during the 1980s. The lowest total was 2,115 votes in 1982.

The Star was unable to obtain official SA records.

SA officials are not surprised at the turnout, saying the lack of candidates has made for an unexciting election. Only four candidates are running for three offices.

During the 80s, up to 10 candidates were in the running during the elections, with as many as five running for president.

Treasurer candidate Joseph Kolerich and vice presidential candidate John Quilico are running unopposed. SA Sen. Kelly Marie McDonald and Senate Speaker Preston Came are running for president.

Except for signs naming Quilico as Came’s running mate, the unopposed candidates did not campaign at all.

The presidential candidates mainly looked for endorsements along with posting signs. Also, McDonald and Came were passing out small fliers Wednesday.

Absent from their campaigns was mudslinging or major conflicts over issues between the candidates.

“There was not as much aggressive campaigning as in the past,” said SA President Robert McCormack, who participated in heated campaigning for his position last year.

McCormack said he also was unsatisfied with the running of the election. He referred to botched attempts to organize a debate and difficulties in setting the election dates.

“The election was messed up,” he said.

The strong winds, sporadic rain and even hail also might have contributed to a low turnout, McCormack said.

Today’s weather is not expected to be any better with predicted high winds and temperatures only in the 30s.

Students can vote again today outside the Pow Wow Room in the Holmes Student Center or DuSable Hall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.