The Student Association Election Commission has not tallied the votes submitted in Tuesday’s senate election, but will begin determining the results once polls close at 7 p.m. today.

Students with an NIU identification and a fall semester schedule can vote from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at DuSable Hall, Founders Memorial Library and the Pow Wow Room.

Referring to an editorial in Tuesday’s Northern Star, SA Vice President Greg Bliss said that votes cast marked “invalid” will “have as much effect as writing ‘void’ on a parking ticket.”

The editorial suggested students vote to invalidate the election because of the the small number of candidates and the fact that more than half are running as part of a coalition. “We can’t rule an election invalid just because students want to,” Bliss said.

Thirty-three candidates submitted petitions to run for 32 off-campus senate seats this year, and 15 candidates submitted petitions for 16 on-campus seats. As a result, one on-campus chair will be filled by a write-in candidate.

“There is a definite need for election reform,” Bliss said. “But right now, my goal is to see that the elected senators prove effective.”