The winners of the SGA and Miss Auburn elections were announced Tuesday, Feb. 10 on Cater Lawn at approximately 10:40 p.m.
Walker Byrd is the new SGA president, Justin Mathews is vice president, Brett Walton is treasurer and Lauren Jones is the new Miss Auburn.
SGA Presidential Election:
Walker Byrd, junior in political science, ran unopposed and was elected SGA president Tuesday, Feb. 10.
"I am relieved but excited," Byrd said. "I'm very humbled by this whole process. I'm very thankful in general. I am very excited for what's to come."
Byrd said he thinks the elections council handled the delay well.
"I'm glad we got to do it tonight," Byrd said. "I wish it would have gone on time, but that's OK. I'm glad they (elections council) got everything handled. I'm glad to have a Miss Auburn. We've had five very incredible girls and they all are going to be very successful."
Byrd said he is going to spend time with loved ones tonight.
"I'm going to celebrate with my friends and family," Byrd said. "They are all here to enjoy the night."
Byrd said he will begin working on his platform after some rest.
"First, I'm going to get some rest so we can start work tomorrow," Byrd said. "We are going to sit down and really brainstorm and vision-cast for this next year with our team and hopefully appoint some other people. We are just going to work from there."
SGA Vice Presidential Election:
Justin Mathews, junior in building science, ran unopposed and was elected SGA vice-president.
"It's so exciting because we've been looking forward to this for months now," Mathews said. "It's cool that it's official, we're stepping into this position, and I know Brett and Walker feel the same way."
Mathews said he was not completely surprised about the delay tonight.
"The delay was a surprise and it wasn't," Mathews said. "I kind of had a hint it might happen, but I wasn't sure."
According to Mathews, Byrd's mother made plans for after callouts.
"Walker's mom rented out the back of Amsterdam's, so we're going to celebrate there," Mathews said.
Mathews said he will get started on his platform right away.
"We get installed March 1, but we don't have to start doing it then, we can start on it now," Mathews said. "Since I didn't have to campaign this week, I could go ahead and push my platform. I feel like we're going to have a fun year ahead of us."
SGA Treasurer:
Brett Walton, junior in accounting, ran unopposed and was elected SGA treasurer.
"It feels great," Walton said. "I'm so excited. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."
Walton said the delay didn't bother him.
"The delays were more time for me to get to spend out here talking to people and enjoying this time with my friends and relishing the special moment," Walton said. "It really didn't bother me at all."\0x2028Walton said he will spend time with his family and the new SGA president and vice president.
"I'm actually going to hang out with my family," Walton said. "My mom and dad came into town. I'll probably spend time with Walker and Justin - probably just go get some food, get something to eat."
Walton said he is already working on the student memorial.
"I'll officially take off as of March 1, but already be working with senate through the use of student and reserve and request and some resolutions to advance the student memorial project and some of our other platform initiatives," Walton said.
Miss Auburn:
The new Miss Auburn is Lauren Jones, junior in public relations.
"It hasn't even really sunk it yet, to be honest," Jones said. "I think it's just kind of in a blur, but I'm really excited."
Jones' platform was "Branch Out With Lauren Jones." Jones will advocate for people with special needs.
According to Jones, she will start on her platform as soon as possible.
"As soon as we can get started," Jones said. "I guess we'll start transitioning here soon. I wanted to get started right away. I'm really excited."
Another candidate for Miss Auburn, Mi'A Callens, said she will continue working on her platform, "Capture Confidence With Callens," despite the loss.
"This platform does not stop," Callens said. "I'm going to continue helping change people's lives in looking beyond the surface to help and mentor others."
Dae Jackson, another Miss Auburn candidate, said campaign week taught her perseverance.
"Definitely just give everything your all, just love on people as much as you can," Jackson said. "Do everything with your whole heart."
Another Miss Auburn candidate, Catherine Taylor, said campaign week gave her a new appreciation for Auburn students.
"I learned a lot about serving, about engaging people and about loving fully the students of Auburn and my friends who have loved me so well this week," Taylor said.
According to Caroline Beauchaine, another Miss Auburn candidate, she will continue working on her campaign despite the loss.
"My platform was focusing on the Auburn student firefighters," Beauchaine said. "I wanted to have a fire safety program with the Auburn fire division and that is something they have been looking to put into effect on campus. I want to have a fundraiser for the volunteer fire stations in the area, and that is something I definitely can do whether I am Miss Auburn or not."
Updates:
Violations:
Ruling 1: According to the SGA website:
"Elections Board has ruled that the Marked for Tradition ticket did violate the Code of Laws. However, both the Marked for Tradition and Rooted in Ag tickets "Liked" and shared media on Facebook, therefore no sanctions will be imposed on either party for these actions. However, because the Marked for Tradition ticket retweeted media publicizing their candidate, an unfair advantage was gained. Elections Board has ruled that a 24-hour social media ban will be imposed on the Marked for Tradition ticket, lasting from the beginning of formal campaigning at 3 PM on Wednesday, February 4th, until 3 PM on Thursday, February 5th. No campaigning via social media will be allowed for any candidate on the Marked for Tradition ticket during this time frame."
Ruling 2: According to the SGA website:
"Elections Board ruled that Marlee Moore and Luke Knight of the Marked for Tradition ticket were in violation of the Code of Laws. However, because Ag Council gave both the Marked for Tradition and Rooted in Ag tickets the same opportunity to present their platforms and both tickets did so, Elections Board has decided that no sanctions will be imposed on the Marked for Tradition ticket."
Ruling 3: According to the SGA website:
"Elections Board ruled unanimously that Caroline Beauchaine's campaign was guilty of breaking Section 708.6.2 of the Code of Laws. Elections Board ruled by a vote of five to two that a punishment of 50 votes shall be docked from Caroline Beauchaine."
Ruling 4: According to the SGA website:
"Elections Board ruled unanimously that Caroline Beauchaine's campaign was guilty of breaking Section 708.6.2 of the Code of Laws. Elections Board ruled by a vote of six to one that a punishment of 10 votes shall be docked from Caroline Beauchaine."
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