Description of SG Elections

For the first time in the history of the Bakersfield College Student Government Association (SGA), the annual elections of the board of directors is being planned and carried out though a partnership with Kern County Elections. In years past, the Bakersfield College SGA has conducted elections via paper ballot and online voting, but organizers of this year's election sought the partnership following an enlightening presentation at a December conference.
 
"SGA decided to work with Kern County Elections after attending a workshop at an American Student Government Association in December 2008," said Justin Salters, vice president of the SGA. "It was suggested as a method to increase voter turnout and make elections on-campus more like general elections students [hopefully] participate in off-campus."
 
Kern County Elections has poll workers volunteering to manage the elections, which are taking place in the Campus Center at Bakersfield College on April 29 and 30. Students' identities will be verified from among a list of registered students before they receive a paper ballot and proceed to one of a handful of private voting stands.
 
"As SGA Vice President and Chair of the SGA Elections Committee, I am thrilled to have poll workers from Kern County Elections facilitating our elections process," added Salters. "We are working to create a fair and balanced election process, and bringing in poll workers from outside of the College community goes a great way towards making this happen."

Candidate Recruiting Description

While all candidates are individually elected, they can choose to run on a slate. There are no political parties dedicated to election of student government officers, though there are Republican and Democratic clubs on campus. Some candidates are recruited from among the pool of senators that have served the previous school year, but students who have no previous student government experience have also run (and won).

Eligibility Requirements

Requirements for an Elected Officer

According to California Ed Code 76061, a student who is elected to serve as an officer in the student government of a community college shall meet both of the following requirements:

1. The student shall be enrolled in the community college at the time of the election, and throughout his or her term, with a minimum of five-semester units, or it's equivalent.
2. The student shall meet and maintain the minimum standards of scholarship prescribed for community college students by the community college district.

Nomination and Filing Procedures

Filing Eligibility

1. Each candidate must have a cumulative Bakersfield College GPA of at least (2.0).
2. All candidates declared ineligible to run shall be notified by the BCSGA Advisor.
3. Any candidate on disciplinary, academic, or social probation will not be eligible for candidacy unless otherwise permitted by the Assistant Director of Student Life or Dean of Students.
4. All candidates may hold office for a maximum of four semesters (fall and spring).
5. No candidate shall serve on the Elections Committee.
6. Candidates may only file for one office at a time.