Room for Debate

The Duke Student Government’s Board of Elections is deliberating whether or not to include Brooke Kingsland, a Young Trustee semi-finalist currently campaigning as a write-in candidate, in the upcoming Young Trustee debate. This matter is being discussed because the provisions for write-in candidates are not clearly stipulated, and in the future DSG will need to make certain clarifications. This year, however, it is up to the Board of Elections to decide who participates in the debate. Regardless of where it chooses to draw the line in the future, Brooke deserves to be part of the process today.

The Young Trustee selection began with an initial screening of applicants and will end with a student body vote Feb. 15. Bylaws permitting write-in candidates allow voters to choose candidates who can bypass the formal selection system with strong grassroots support. Brooke is a serious and legitimate candidate with student support already mobilizing and a website with clear and relevant information about her candidacy.

For the same reason this process allows write-in candidates, the Election Commission should include Brooke in the young trustee debate: to give the student body the ultimate decision. I urge the Board of Elections to allow Brooke Kingsland to participate in the debate in the interest of allowing the student body to make an informed decision through a fair election process in spite of procedural ambiguities.

Erica Lin

Trinity ’11