Student government officials have not found a solution for the upcoming election season—but they’re searching.

The Associated Student Organization is facing unprecedented struggles after COVID-19 forced colleges nationwide to transition away from face-to-face courses through spring and summer. Some ASO officers are concerned about the fate of student government for the upcoming academic school year since participation is expected to be limited.

Executive board members and senators each serve for a year. Applications would typically be due the week after spring break to allow time to vet candidates before a mandatory applicant meeting.

A Virtual Student Forum was hosted on April 1 by SWC to address general student concerns.

Interim Director of Student Development Ronnie Hands said he and Student Activities Coordinator Richard Eberhart were evaluating their options.

“We will be sending out a survey to our student leaders to get their opinions,” Hands said. “Ideally we want everyone to have a fair shot in terms of when it comes time to campaign. So we are going to be very thoughtful in a way we put that together.”

The survey asked whether ASO elections should use virtual polling or if elections should be postponed until further notice.

Elections were also discussed at a virtual ASO meeting held on April 9. Hands distributed the survey that day and said findings would be addressed at a later date.

A virtual election and campaigning may seem ideal for some under the current climate, however Vice President of Outreach Cesar Vizcaino expressed displeasure and said “ONLINE ELECTIONS ARE NOT DEMOCRATIC,” in the chatroom of the student forum.

ASO President Christian Sanchez said executives are entitled to their own opinions.

“I fully support anything they have to say and the decisions they make when they make comments like that,” Sanchez said. “I personally feel like it is a double-edged sword for me, because yes on one end it is undemocratic. But on the other hand, if we strategically put it together and make it equitable and inclusive for everybody, then I feel like it’s the same as if we were having elections on campus.”

Normally, Sanchez said, students’ votes go to a third-party service which only Eberhart and Hands can access. They are also only able to access votes until the day of the count. These measures are in place to reassure students that voting will not be rigged.

“In order to keep it democratic and have the candidates campaign we are currently coming up with rules and regulations right now,” Sanchez said. “We have bylaws in our constitution of ASO in how to campaign appropriately but considering the circumstances, we are trying to figure a way to work in tandem with it to keep it inclusive to the situation and equitable.”

No decision has been made by the ASO whether the upcoming elections will be virtual or postponed.