Student Association senate hopefuls will be watching the polls during the next two days.

SA Senate elections will be held Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at DuSable Hall, Holmes Student Center Pow Wow Cafeteria and the Founders Memorial Library. All NIU students can cast a ballot for the candidate they wish to be the senators of their districts.

The SA is made up of five districts, with eight senators being elected from each district.

The SA is encouraging all people to make it to the polls. SA Vice President Anastasia Criscione said, “Come out and vote, these senators are the future determinants of the SA budget. These senators will be dealing with student needs and allocating $1 million.”

SA President Paul Middleton also stressed the importance of voter participation. He said “the SA will be tackling major issues this year.”

These issues include campus parking, construction and development, Student’s Legal Assistance, allocation of space in the new Campus Life Building, this year’s presidential election and funding of various new student organizations, he said.

Criscione described the layout of the ballot as having the candidates divided by district. Each person can vote for five people in their district and three out of their district for a total of eight candidates voted for.

To write in a candidate’s name the voter can write in the same amount of names as if regularly voting. “You have to spell the name correctly and make sure you check the box next to the name,” Criscione said.

SA Public Relations Adviser Anna Bicanic said 40 students met Friday’s application deadline.