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What's on your ballot: A guide to voting during Student Election Week

April 5, 2018

MSU Student Election Week has begun, and until April 9, students can vote for the proposals on their personalized ballot. 

This year's ballot includes four tax referendums and two constitutional questions, but these referendums and constitutional questions differ based on constitute groups.  

The State News tax referendum 

Every semester, The State News collects a $5 tax from students. The tax hasn't been raised since 2001 and voting "Yes" on this referendum would increase it by $2.50 to align with inflation rates.  

ASMSU Safe Ride Program tax referendum

The Safe Ride Program collects a $2 student tax every semester for its transportation services. Voting "Yes" on this referendum would increase that tax by $1 to make the semester rate $3.

Resident Halls Association tax referendum

Every three years, the University Tax Policy requires groups that collect a student tax to have that tax re-approved. Voting "Yes" on this referendum would allow the Residence Halls Association, or RHA, to continue collecting a $25 fee at the beginning of every semester.

Impact 89FM - WDBM Radio tax referendum

Just like RHA, Impact 89FM - WDBM is holding a student referendum to have the collection of their student tax re-approved. Voting yes would continue the collection of a $3 semester fee. 

RHA Constitutional Amendment Proposals

The RHA-related proposals that on-campus students have the option to vote for, vote against or abstain from voting on include the following:

Updating the constitution to include gender inclusive language, updating neighborhood constituent alignment to coincide with a reorganized neighborhood structure and changing the title of "Director of Racial and Ethnic and Progressive Affairs" to "Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer". 

The proposals also include changing the name of "University Housing" to "Residence Education and Housing Services", updating the RHA adviser description, changing the title of "Executive Assistants" to "RHA Directors" and updating some policy stipulations and terminology. 

Off-campus students will not see these questions.

ASMSU Representatives

Undergraduate students will have the option to vote for no more than three candidates for next year's ASMSU general assembly representatives, specific to their college. 

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