For the students who are looking to become more involved at Sacramento State, Associated Students Inc. is holding its annual officer elections.

ASI is not just involved with government. The student-run organization represents Sac State students in efforts to improve the campus, while supporting student organizations on and off campus.

“ASI is an $8 million corporation, and every student pays $64 a semester to ASI,” said ASI President Lauren Lombardo. “I think it is critical that students have a say in where that money goes.”

Last year, several positions were uncontested. After some members of the student body attempted to boycott the elections claiming to be underrepresented, ASI moved to change the election code to give students more of a voice on what goes on the voting ballot.

Now, no matter how many candidates are running for a particular position during an election cycle, all voters will have a say in whether or not someone is elected.

For the first time at Sac State, a “no confidence” vote option will be added to the ballot if a candidate is running in an uncontested position.

“This [election], there is going to be a vote of no confidence added, primarily because of student concern in the last election,” said Adriana Bolds, director of Undeclared Students. “If a position is not filled as a result of a no confidence vote, then ASI ‘will follow standard ASI bylaw procedures and appoint someone to that position after an application process.’”

In an effort to have more candidates run this year, promotion for the elections was increased compared to past years.

ASI members passed out flyers during rush weeks hoping to increase student interest.

“That was the first time that was done in at least a very long time,” said Lombardo. “I know that that increased our club ballot applications–the number of clubs that signed up for the club challenge–so if anything, the clubs are becoming more involved in that process.”

ASI Elections Officer Alex Wagner said ASI is trying to bring more attention to the elections this year by holding more information sessions, reaching out to different programs on campus and with informal announcements.

“We’ve been reaching out to different programs, like peer mentors, and I’ve done a couple informal announcements at the Multi-Cultural Center, so we’ve just been focused on branching out to different programs,” Wagner said.

Lombardo said the best way to get to know the candidates is to read the candidate statement that will be posted on the ASI website a week before elections, as well as attend the forums to learn more about those running for election this spring.

“The candidate forums will have all of the candidates,” said Lombardo. “For example, vice president of finance and executive vice president will be on the same day, and those will have all of the candidates running for those positions [and] will answer questions by a moderator, but also the audience can ask questions too, and they will go for an hour with opening and closing statements.”

The dates of the candidate forums will be posted on the ASI website.

The ASI elections will be held on Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22.