Approximately 15% of UT’s student body cast their votes in the spring 2025 campus-wide elections held on March 3-4, electing key leaders that will shape University policies and initiatives.
Historically, only a small percentage of the student body vote in the campus-wide elections. According to data from the Dean of Students, under 25% of the student body voted each year in the last 10 years, and only about 8.4% voted in last year’s election. Student Government does not actively promote voting or candidates, with the exception of a general social media post when voting starts. Promotion, either via social media or through physical forms like posters across campus, is largely left up to the candidates.
Kaley Derr, a government and economics senior, said she has voted in past campus elections when student candidates asked her to vote for them. She said, although she doesn’t really know what Student Government does, she thinks it is important to vote.
“It is important for people to vote so they feel like they have a stake in the Student Government and can be like ‘Yeah, I was a part of that; I like that person,’” Derr said.
Derr said she thinks a lot of students just don’t know the process for voting.
Marcus Mayes, the Student Government Organizations Advisor, said in an email statement that new methods to incentivize students to vote for the spring 2025 election included sending Canvas announcements, handing out promotional flyers and “I Voted” stickers.
The Office of the Dean of Students worked in spring 2024 to increase voter turnout with flat-screen monitor notifications around campus, social media posts and food trucks on Gregory Gym Plaza during the voting days, Mayes said.
“Traditionally, the Office of the Dean of Students primarily sent one email to all students to encourage them to file for the election and another to encourage them to vote in the election,” Mayes said. “Since spring 2024, the Office of the Dean of Students has expanded its promotional efforts to help support and encourage student engagement.”
Hector Frausto, a public health and public relations freshman, said he thinks most students are too busy to vote. He also said he is not sure what Student Government does but knows many organizations on campus often endorse candidates.
“They always say Student Government is doing something to affect (students), but I don’t know if it’s personally affected me,” Frausto said.
Frausto said Student Government leaders should make themselves more present on campus, like introducing themselves during orientation for students to know them and what they do.
