DeKALB | Student elections for the Student Association and Campus Activities Board executives were held Tuesday and will continue today.

Polls are located in the Holmes Student Center, DuSable Hall and Founders Memorial Library.

According to Eric Brenes, election commissioner, more than 300 students voted by 1 p.m. The total number of votes cast Tuesday was 558, a significant increase from last spring’s executive election, in which only 410 total votes were cast.

When some students were asked about the election, many were oblivious to the existence of SA and CAB.

The SA is the student government of NIU. With an estimated budget of $1.5 million coming from the student activity fee, based on an estimated 25,000 students attending NIU, each student pays an average of $60 toward the SA budget.

This budget funds such services as Students’ Legal Assistance, Campus Child Care and the Huskie Bus system, the second-largest bus system in the state, as well as paying SA executives.

Candidates for CAB’s executive board are also on this week’s ballot.

“CAB is supposed to be NIU’s programming board, gatekeeper for campus life and provide all students with something to do on campus,” said Becky Harlow, CAB’s adviser.

Some students showed concern over candidates and the election.

According to Brenes, if a student wished to vote no confidence for a candidate, they should simply leave that position blank.

Candidate profiles are available on the Northern Star Web site, the SA Web site, as well as various candidate groups on Facebook.