Associated Students, Inc. elections reached 5 percent of the voter percentage on the first day of elections.

There was a kickoff event in the Library Quad where large silver balloons spelled out “ASI Elections.” The event had ice cream, buttons, an inflatable maze, and T-shirts being handed out by ASI to help bring awareness to the elections.

Although Ryan Allain, one of the candidates running for ASI executive vice president, was not able to attend the events or campaign much on Wednesday due to scheduling conflicts, he said he is still hearing good things about the election and turnout.

“It seems like the clubs who have endorsed us are turning out, like they have the top three, and so I’m hearing good things,” Allain said. “Being out there the half hour I was- so far- campaigning, I was hearing good things too.”

He said the one thing he wants students to know about the elections is that it takes about two minutes to vote.

Alex Wagner, an ASI elections officer helping to oversee the process, is optimistic about voter turnout and wants students to get informed about the candidates and go vote.

“I think elections are going pretty well,” Wagner said. “I think we are expecting a higher turnout than last year so that’s good. The candidates are really out there campaigning, getting people to vote, and all of our efforts with student engagement and marketing are really gonna pay off. I would say that it’s really important that they make an informed choice, you know, read that voter booklet that’s available online at the ASI website. They’re also available at the polls. The people that take office are important, so [students] should be informed and get out there and go vote.”

Yajayra Gonzalez, one of four candidates running for ASI president, was inspired as a freshman when candidates from that year’s elections spoke to her about making a difference.

Gonzalez has served two years with ASI in committees and as director of Arts and Letters, and she sees the voter turnout as “extremely positive this year” because of the large pool of candidates available to choose from.

“Students know and they’re starting to notice that they have a choice,” Gonzalez said. “Now they’re eager to go out and vote so they can make sure that the students who they vote for is going to fully represent them.”