GSSC Debate Will Include Write-In Candidate

General Studies Student Council VP of Finance and presidential write-in candidate Keith Hightower will be permitted to participate in tonight’s debate, Judicial Committee members have ruled. While Hightower was initially told by the Elections Committee that he would need the unanimous approval of the other GSSC presidential candidates, a ruling from the newly-appointed Judicial Committee came back in his favor.

“Pursuant to the GSSC Constitution 06-01:12, which states that ‘anyone who announces his or her candidacy in any way, will be considered an official candidate, and will be bound by all Election by-laws,’ the Judicial Committee has voted to allow write-in candidates to participate in GSSC Debates,” committee member Akillah Wali wrote in an e-mail announcing the ruling.

“If my voice or my platform was silenced, then I believe that would be a huge disservice to the entire student body,” Hightower said.

While the candidate debates were originally scheduled for last Tuesday and the elections were to be held April 18, the JC decided to delay the elections until April 23 in order to properly consider Hightower’s appeal.

“I think that the important thing is for the students to see where each of us [the presidential candidates] stand,” Hightower said. “It gives me a forum to get my message out.”

alix.pianin@columbiaspectator.com