The UOSA election chairwoman said she will try to get more student voters involved next semester after the fall 2010 Student Congress election results showed traditional apathy with a weak turnout.

About 6 percent of the Norman campus population cast 1,357 votes Nov. 9, according to the OU 2010 factbook.

Out of 11 districts up for election, six races were uncontested. Of the 1,357 votes, 652 of them came from University College. The architecture district had the lowest turnout with 14 votes, but it held only one candidate.

UOSA President Franz Zenteno said he is satisfied with the way the election was handled.

“We have planted seeds for more students to vote next year,” said Zenteno, graduate student.

Historically, OU’s spring semesters have a stronger voter turnout. In spring 2010, 5,645 students voted. In spring 2008, 5,836 students voted.

This happens because of the positions available, UOSA Student Congress Chairman Brett Stidham said.

The spring semester has the president, vice-president and Campus Activities Council president elections. The fall semester suffers from empty districts, because some majors make it difficult to take on responsibilities, said Stidham, human resources management senior.

He said he hopes to motivate students in the more difficult districts, such as architecture, and give students in those sections a candidate.

The results seem like students are more interested in events than government, UOSA Election Chairwoman Natalie Jester said. However, the blame doesn’t fall only on the students, she said.

UOSA needs to implement changes to get more votes during the fall, said Jester, international area studies junior.

“We need to educate students so they know the significance of who and what they are voting for,” Jester said.

Elections by the numbers

Fall 2010:
» 1,357 votes
» 38 candidates

Fall 2009:
» 1,237 votes
» 47 candidates

*Source: UOSA election reports