Todd Vanderwerff

After 2003, when only 20 percent of SDSU students voted in the Students’ Association elections, candidates are hoping for a better turn-out at the polls Wednesday and Thursday.

“Whether (students) vote for Amanda (Mattingly) or I, I think it’s important they vote because it’s their representation,” said presidential candidate Clint Powell.

Mattingly, the other presidential candidate, echoed similar sentiments.

“I think it’s very important because the SA really represents every student,” Mattingly said. “For the students who don’t care about SA, if SA was not there, they would feel a direct impact and their college experience would not be the same.”

Some students, however, feel that the SA candidates have not done a good enough job of reaching out to the average student.

“All I have seen are flyers. I haven’t heard anything (about the issues),” said freshman history major Nick Schmichel.

Freshman theatre and English major Heidi Kolback felt that the SA does not do a good enough job of publicizing itself in general.

“I don’t know if there’s a lot of information out there about what these people do,” she said.

Sophomore journalism major Megan Schons felt unmotivated.

“I didn’t vote last year and I don’t really have any motivation (this year),” she said. “I don’t feel that any of the candidates have compelled me to vote.”

Both Powell and Mattingly said it can be hard to reach the average student who may not be terribly involved in campus organizations. Mattingly has gone out to dorms to try and meet people. Powell is planning on doing that this week and counting on good word of mouth to reach those whom he has not met. Both campaigns want to get more than 20 percent of the student body out for the elections.

Although sophomore theatre major Kate Orlando feels she doesn’t know enough about the candidates, she still plans on voting.

“It’s important for students to care about leadership,” she said.

Jill Pravatiner, a graduate student in the economics program, has been voting since she was a freshman and she sees no reason to stop. She has a personal connection to some of the races.

“I know two of the candidates pretty well,” she said.

This week, Mattingly and Powell will see if they have effectively reached those who would not normally vote.