Due to technical difficulties with the NIU OneCard system, the exact number of votes cast in Tuesday’s elections was not available, said Nolan Davis, assistant to the vice president of Student Affairs.

Davis said 300 people voted, but it was a rough estimate based off head counts performed at DuSable Hall throughout the day.

Of the estimated 25,000 students at NIU, only an estimated 0.012 percent voted.

Voting continues today at the Holmes Student Center, Founders Memorial Library and DuSable Hall.

DuSable Hall

Early Tuesday morning when the polls opened to voters in DuSable Hall, the majority of students simply passed by the polls and expressed little interest in this year’s Student Association and Campus Activities Board elections.

With the exception of the SA vice president race, all of the candidates went uncontested, the ballot providing voters with an option to write in a candidate if they chose.

Some students voiced concern about the number of uncontested positions.

“I don’t like the fact that [the candidates] don’t have anybody running against them,” said Erica Pearce, a senior political science major and SA member who cast her ballot at DuSable.

There were complaints about the lack of choice the limited number of candidates gave them.

“I’m deeply troubled that so few positions were contested,” said David Sweeney, a junior English major. “It would be nice for every student to at least have a choice.”

A big turnout was not expected partially due to uncontested races, said Dan Leonard, sophomore business administration major, SA senator and election official.

“[Turnout is] never large enough for a good democracy,” said DeKalb resident and voting judge John Smith.

Early in the day, everything went smoothly and volunteers helping out during the elections were able to take off some of the stress of the election, Leonard said.

Students who voted had a voice in saying what they liked in the SA and CAB, and what they would like to see next year.

“I want to see organizations using the SA as more of a center,” said Robert Batey, sophomore political science major and SA senator. “Also, just the SA taking a more purgative stance and getting their name out there more, I don’t think people know about them.”

Founders Memorial Library

In the first two hours after the election started, only six or seven people voted at the library, said Arra Garab, a retired English professor.

Garab worked the booth located in the library’s lobby until 6 p.m., when the polls closed, and hoped there would be more of a turnout.

“There isn’t much incentive to vote,” Garab said. “But students should realize these are important offices.”

Ojas Shah, a senior economics major, has voted many times for campus elections. Shah said the candidate’s values influence his decision.

“I try to choose the right person,” Shah said. “If you don’t choose, the college won’t progress.”

Orlando Johnson, a sophomore biological science major, said he votes the majority of the time.

“Once you vote, you pick the leaders on campus and hopefully the people who know what they are doing,” Johnson said.

Some students feel the candidates running are qualified.

“I feel there are some good candidates this year and that if people vote correctly, we might just have some good people in office,” said Jazsmine Jackson, a freshman early childhood studies major.

Holmes Student Center

By 1 p.m. Tuesday, the Holmes Student Center was crowded with students trying to squeeze onto the buses while avoiding the looks from the people at the voting poll.

Students passing out flyers in King Memorial Commons had better luck as a lot of enthusiastic students seemed to want a flyer.

There was not a big turnout but Tiffany Flotte, a junior pre-physical therapy major, said despite the few votes, it is important for people to vote.

Flotte said she really appreciates the events and shows CAB and SA plan for the students on campus.

“Voting is very important especially because CAB and SA plan everything for students,” Flotte said. “Being a black student, I know they will provide many things to bring out diversity throughout campus.”

Flotte said students should take the time to realize what CAB and SA actually do for our campus.

“By voting, you are showing you appreciate what CAB and SA provide for us as students,” she said.

Puja Lodhavia, a senior special education major, agreed voting is really important on campus.

“Students must realize they can make a difference by voting,” said Lodhavia. “Years ago, our input wasn’t important and women weren’t even allowed to give their input in order to make a difference.”