News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 3/20/03   SOUTHEASTERN SGA TO USE ON-LINE VOTING       HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Student Government Association will move to on-line voting for this spring’s elections.       The goal is to make voting easier and more convenient, allowing students to vote from any computer with Internet access, said SGA President Jeremy Price.       “We expect the move to on-line voting to significantly increase the number of students who participate in our elections,” Price said.        In the past, he said, students did not always get to the polling place located at the Student Union or on the Baton Rouge campus. Consequently a significant number of students declined to vote due to the inconvenience associated with getting to the polling locations.       The system uses a program developed by Southeastern computer specialists Dave Petit and James May. The system was tested over a period of several weeks, in which students voted for their favorite cartoon character.       Price said the new system allows SGA to include photos with the ballots as well as candidates’ stated platforms, providing students with information they can use in making their selection. The on-line system will be used for all future student balloting, including votes for homecoming queen and court and referendums.        Students will access the system through Southeastern’s website, www.selu.edu, using their student identification number to vote. The system automatically prevents voting more than once. Return to News Releases