The Associated Students, Inc. hosted an event to raise awareness of ASI elections next semester on Dec. 2 in the University Union.

ASI elections are held each year during the Spring Semester. During this time, students are elected to serve as the student government for Sacramento State.

“I think it’s important for students to vote in the ASI elections, because every student pays $65 dollars into ASI each semester,” said ASI President Melissa Bardo. “These funds work to provide services, programs, scholarships and other opportunities to all students, so students should have a voice when it comes to electing the new ASI Board of Directors every year. Students should look for candidates that they think are most qualified to get the job done and fairly represent student concerns.”

Students can run for the following offices: ASI President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of University Affairs and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Additional officers are elected to represent various colleges including Arts and Letters, Business Administration, Education, Engineering and Computer Science, Health and Human Services, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, Graduate, and Undeclared.

“Students who are interested in running for a college office must be a student in that college, and those offices are decided by students within the respective college,” said ASI Elections Officer Kyle Maples.

To run for ASI office, students do have to meet the eligibility criteria such as GPA, residency units, and “good standing” status that are evaluated by the vice president of Student Affairs Office.

Students are also required to pay a $50 deposit made payable to Student Organizations & Leadership.

Currently enrolled Sac State Students in a matriculated program can vote for Executive ASI Candidates. These students may vote for a representative from their college. Graduate students will be able to vote for Executive ASI Candidates and the graduate representative, and undeclared students will be able to vote for Executive ASI Candidates and the representative of undeclared students.

“Last election, I noticed some of my peers didn’t know how to cast their votes,” said journalism major Jessica Hice. “To be honest, I didn’t either until I asked. I believe that more information needs to be circulated to allow us to be more informed.”

Students can vote online or in person at an ASI Voting site. Information about where and when to vote will be made available early next semester.