Eight hours into ASMSU's election, 500 students - or about 1.4 percent - had logged onto the election Web site to vote, but student government leaders said that's not good enough.

"It may be lower than what it was last year," Patricia Smith, Student Assembly internal vice chairperson said. "But students have an extra 12 hours to vote."

Judging from voter turnout so far, Smith said she couldn't predict if the elections would be good or bad, but the number so far was "about average."

Students can access the ballot at http://www.studentelections.msu.edu.

And Smith said ASMSU is still making efforts to reach its constituents.

"We're running ads in The State News, and candidate information is on ASMSU's Web site for students who are interested in finding out the candidates' goals," she said.

ASMSU Association Director Paul Harmon, along with other student government leaders, passed out hundreds of ASMSU T-shirts Wednesday afternoon to students on campus.

"It was cold but fun," said Harmon. "I enjoyed interacting with students."

But Student Assembly Chairperson Andrew Schepers, who also distributed T-shirts to students, said he's not sure the free shirts will increase voter turnout.

"People seemed really excited," he said. "Whether or not actual turnout will be high, we have to wait and see."

Schepers said, regardless of what happens, ASMSU members have made more of an effort this year than in the past to reach its constituents.

"Hopefully the efforts we put forth in the past weeks will help have a better turnout," he said. "Anytime you have personal contact with folks, it helps, but we'll just have to wait and see what happens with the election."

And while students are electing new ASMSU members, Schepers said the assembly is now looking for new leaders to head the Student and Academic assemblies next year.

Undergraduates who are interested in being a Student Assembly chairperson, internal vice chairperson or external vice chairperson can pick up applications, which are available now, from ASMSU's business office in 307 Student Services. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The Academic Assembly applications for chairperson, internal vice chairperson and external vice chairperson are not yet available, but will be accessible to undergraduates on Friday in the student government's business office.

Applications for the Academic Assembly officials are due April 1, and Student Assembly applications are due April 13.