That is more than the last two elections combined. That number is almost 30% larger than a longer, more divisive and controversial CFS referendum. 27.2% represents a whopping 8201 students. Is that enough? No. Far from. But it is a start. Expect bigger and better in the coming years.

Now. Without further ado… Here are the results:

Click here to download the full results, in Excel.

UPDATE: Better results, including percentages and blank ballots.

How exciting are these elections? There is a buzz around campus and it seems to be the only thing people are talking about. The second day of voting went by and we are excited by the reaction so far.

For those of you who have still not voted: What are you waiting for? A third email containing your PIN was sent to remind you that you have until 9PM tonight to vote. Your previous PINs are no longer valid.

Voting stations are all over campus and we encourage you to ask our poll clerks any questions you might have. We also have our “Red Army” roaming this campus proudly, asking people to vote or answering any questions some students might have. Again, if you have any questions or comments, please just ask one of them. They have bright red shirts with a question mark and the words “INFORMATION, vote online” written on them.

Also, many Grad students have written us emails asking why they have not received their PINs. Graduate students are not members of the SFUO and have no vote in these elections. The GSAÉD elections are coming up shortly and we encourage Grad students to check out GSAÉD’s official website.

Also, please do not forget to participate in our super easy, super fun contest. Leave a comment, win $200. It’s worth it.

One of the major benefits of e-voting is the possibility to do it from anywhere in the World. Whether you are in exchange in France and voting from a coffee shop on les Champs Élysées, or in your underwear in your parent’s basement in Barrhaven, you were able to vote in these elections. Our slogan was “Vote from anywhere in the World”…

What is your voting story? Where did you vote from?

The Board of administration restricted voting to 6AM-9PM so we do need to shut down e-voting at night but it will be up and running tomorrow morning (bright and early at 6AM). For those of you who have not voted yet, have no fear. You will be receiving an email tonight with your new PIN number and you still have two days to make up your mind.

Remember, you have until Thursday – 9PM to vote. Make it count!

Here is the link to vote: http://live.everyonecounts.com/app/561/994

DID NOT RECEIVE YOUR PIN YET? We are working closely with the University of Ottawa, EveryoneCounts and the SFUO to get every single student their PIN. In the meantime, browse through this website. Read the platforms. Listen to the podcasts. Your PIN will be sent shortly.

Just to give people a general idea of what they can expect, here are recent voter turn-outs at the University of Ottawa:

2006: 18,8%
2007: 14,4%
2008: 12,2%
2008 (by-election): 3%
CFS Referendum 2008: 22%

Our initial objective was 30%. That being said, we raised our objective to 50.4%.

Anyone can participate. You have until 9PM on Thursday to make your prediction. Don’t forget, you need to put a decimal.

So come on. Leave a comment. What do you have to lose?

Why will you vote?

Here is the schedule:

10:00 am - VP Finance
10:40 am - VP Student Affairs
11:10 am - VP Social
11:50 am - VP Communications
12:20 pm - VP University Affairs
1:15 pm - President

Moderators

Frank Appleyard, editor-in-chief of the Fulcrum
Celine Basto, editor-in-chief of La Rotonde

Should be interesting. Especially with all that Free Pizza. Can’t make it? Not a problem! Zoom Productions will be filming everything and videos of the debates should be up by Friday morning.

Everyone has an opinion about these elections.

Some find them redundant: “I see that all candidates that come and talk to us in class are the same or at least give the same type of promises”, thinks Aiman Nader.

Others, like Jennifer Proulx, believe “that students coming into our classrooms and telling us about themselves is sometimes interesting but also kind of annoying.”

No matter what you think of these elections, they are happening. You might as well win an iPod Touch. Right?

All you need to do is write about it. In fact, all you need to do is document it - whether it is with words, images, videos or other.

To participate, send us an email at info@iwillrun.ca or call/text message (819-208-4237) with your thoughts on these elections.

Serge Miville is leading the pack. Not to worry, there are many iPods to be won.

UPDATE: New Blog! New Blog! Spencer M has just launched uOttawa Elections 09. Check it out.
ÜBER-UPDATE: Kyle Ryc, also a candidate in this election, has started a video/audio blog.

Many - and I do mean many - of you are wondering why the platforms and the videos are not up. Every single platform shall be put up before the end of the day. We hope to add videos of candidates later this week.

In the mean time, please listen to “The Elections Bureau presents” - a great show with great guests and a great host. Also, Serge Miville is hosting an excellent French language blog. He is certainly leading our iPod Touch contest (for now).

Also, if you are wondering why we chose certain political/sports/cultural figures for our campaign, do not hesitate to browse through the menu on the right. We have a page explaining each choice.

And one final thing: We have had great interest about the iPod Touch contest. If you are interested in winning an iPod Touch and instant celebrity status on this campus, please do not hesitate to contact us. All the relevant information is on the banner.

Please forgive the stechyness of the embedded player. We are working on its presentation and should have something a bit more presentable in the next few hours. (Or around 5PM). Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Do not forget to check out our contest page for a chance to win a Free iPod Touch.