The first contested election in three years calls for WSU students to get to the polls and vote for who they want to see become the next president of the WSU student body. The Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU) elections are coming up and it is up to students to vote.
There has not been much outreach in the last few years because elections were one-ticketed. This year, the campaign teams plan to work with and for students by going to different organizations, RSOs and other groups around campus.
Each campaign team decides what is important to them and how they are going to improve WSU through passing legislation and working with students, organizations and staff to make a difference at WSU. They go to as many groups as possible and share their main pillars with the student body.
Grace Carpenter, the current ASWSU vice president and now a presidential candidate for the 2026-2027 school year, shared what is important to her in order to reach every student.
“We know we can’t reach every student group but we want to compensate for that by social media,” Carpenter said.
She emphasized how important ASWSU is for the student body as a whole and why it is important to her personally.
“This position as vice president has taught me so exponentially much about how I can advocate for students. It has taught me to be humble and to serve and really to learn how to advocate,” Carpenter said.
Reed Scott, deputy director of legislative affairs and running mate to Carpenter in the next campaign, said low voter turnout and civic engagement are both issues they are seeking to address.
“It’s been a common theme within WSU with low voter turnout. This year, we are highlighting the civic engagement part of voting and making sure that every student’s voice is heard and that they carry out their civic duty of voting in the election,” Scott said.
The opposing campaign is also passionate about what they can do for student advocacy. Presidential candidate Collin Bannister is looking forward to giving students a chance to use their right to vote.
“We are so excited to run in the first contested election in three years. My experience in student government gave me the opportunity to help expand and protect financial aid. We seek to prevent tuition increases, enhance community and safety, and increase ASWSU transparency and accessibility. We hope all students vote on March 10th and 11th. Every vote matters,” Bannister said.
His running mate Emily Bell is also so thankful for this campaign and experience.
“It has been wonderful talking with students from all across campus about ASWSU and what it could do for us students. We are so grateful to be running and we are excited for what’s to come. I can’t wait to use all of the ideas and advice we have received from students and turn it into actions,” Bell said.
Leading up to the voting days, ASWSU will hold a question-and-answer forum on Thursday to allow students to come and ask any questions they may have about the multicultural student community. There will also be a general question-and-answer session on March 5. These forums are open to the whole student body.
Voting will take place March 10 and 11. Learn more by visiting the elections page.
