Students concerned over the lack of candidates in the Associated Students Inc. election posted signs Monday, asking their peers to boycott the election as a method to invalidate the results.

According to ASI bylaws, at least 5 percent of the membership body, or 1,385 students, must vote for an official election, but several students said it is unfair and undemocratic to submit a ballot when 11 out of the 14 positions are running uncontested.

“The boycott is very real,” said senior sociology major Santos Pacheco. “It’s not fake. It’s a very serious movement. I think that ASI as well as the university should take this very, very seriously. There is a lot of students that are feeling the same way.”

Each unopposed candidate must receive at least one vote to become officially elected, but if a total of 1,385 ballots are not submitted by the end of Wednesday, the results would be nullified and another election cycle will take place.

Sophomore communication studies major Denise Fernandez said she does not plan to vote because even if she disagreed with a candidate’s platform, she cannot vote for anyone else.

“I remember last election, people were out there campaigning,” Fernandez said. “This year, I don’t see them campaigning. They’re comfortable and know because they’re uncontested, they feel like ‘ok I’ve got this.”‘

Presidential candidate Lauren Lombardo said she spoke to 80 clubs and organizations and received nearly 40 endorsements, and feels she did not campaign any differently despite not having an opponent.

“I have stood by the notion that I do not feel comfortable taking office as ASI President if I have not personally spoken to as many students as possible,” Lombardo said. “I have been accessible and transparent throughout the election process and I have listened to the concerns and opinions of students pertaining to ASI and (Sacramento State) as a whole.”

ASI Executive Director Patricia Worley said the election cycle is a year-round process, as the student government not only encourages students to run but also hold fall and spring workshops where students can come in and learn how to submit an application.

“I’m saddened students did not see the materials that were put out,” Worley said. “The information was put out in a variety of ways to the campus community and that did begin shortly after fall session began.”

Serving as executive director for 13 years, Worley said the effort has been very similar, if not improved, compared to previous elections through the utilization of signage, social media and workshops.

Under the ASI Elections Code, the campaign period may not begin 30 calendar days before the first day of voting.

Senior sociology major Eddie Triste said he is angry and concerned about the election process, and is frustrated ballots do not contain a no-confidence option for candidates he disagrees with.

“Democratic would be an opportunity for the majority of students to know they’re are elections,” Triste said. “Not only have one month to challenge the representatives who are running for those positions, especially the ones who are uncontested.”

With a diverse campus and growing membership body, ASI President Nielsen Gabriel said despite the difficulty of pleasing every student and capturing their opinions, ASI did more than an adequate job in serving students and promoting the election.

“If you can find me one person on this university who has reached 30,000 students, then go ahead and show me and I will gladly step out of my office,” Gabriel said.

When California State Student Association President Sarah Couch heard of student’s resentment towards the upcoming election, she remembered the last time Sac State had an unopposed ASI president and how the experience inspired her.

Serving under President Miguel Cervantes, Couch said the Board of Directors worked hard to keep morale high despite student negativity and feedback, and their efforts directly resulted in more student candidates the following year.

“These students who have volunteered to run for office want to make their campus better,” Couch said. “They’ve taken it upon themselves to put themselves in the spotlight and take on the burden of working in student government.”

Fernandez said a boycott would bring awareness to the undemocratic process, as student’s voices are not being heard due to the lack of connection and transparency by ASI and their candidate choices are already set.

“If there’s only one person running, it’s not like I can vote for anybody else,” Fernandez said. “I feel like I will not have true democratic choice on who to vote for.”

Election results will be announced at the Election Results Party Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Redwood Room.