Approximately 30 minutes were spent during Leadership class discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal, eliminating the need for customary parliamentary procedures that usually accompany such proposals. After the discussion, a vote was taken on the proposal during the official Leadership Council.

The results of the vote were 15 ayes, 12 nays, and 4 abstentions. However, this simple majority was not enough for the passage of the proposal since it actually required a two-thirds majority for passage.

Opponents of the measure pointed out that pitting candidates of different classes against each other would only result in more class competition because candidates would be chosen according to their grade, not according to their merit.

“The main argument [against the proposal] is that the votes would be split,” ASB secretary senior Kelly Woodruff said. “It would split votes, and someone brought up that it would increase class competition.”

On the other hand, proponents of the proposal focused on the diversity that the juniors could potentially bring to Leadership.

“The main argument of [the proponents was that] ASB is supposed to be Associated Student Body,” Woodruff said. “So it doesn’t really make sense to have all seniors in [office]. The activities we do aren’t in any way catered to the senior class, and at other schools, they have different classes in ASB.”

Proponents believe that having this diversity in ASB leadership would bring valuable input from the junior class into the decision-making process, thereby increasing the influence and voice of the student body. In addition, the possibility of denying a completely qualified candidate the chance to run for office because of age would be reduced.

“We really just want to give more power to the voters,” ASB president senior Daniel Ki said. “And if there is a qualified candidate who deserves to be in ASB, they should have the chance to be elected.”

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