President-elect disqualified

Pittel plans to appeal; opponent Appleton prepares to take over

 by Andre Radzischewski
 published on Monday, April 7, 2008

The Undergraduate Student Government elections director on Thursday disqualified Joshua Pittel, the winner of the March 31 and April 1 elections, who was set to become USG's next president.

"I am issuing the Pittel ticket a disqualification based on [a violation of] the election code," Elyssa Ford said in an e-mail to Andrew Rigazio, a vice presidential candidate for Pittel's opponent, Mark Appleton.

The decision also disqualifies Pittel's running mates Jacqueline Shoemake, who was elected to vice president of services and Asher Kaplan-Dailey, who was elected to vice president of policy.

In her e-mail, Ford said she made the decision in response to two students' allegations that Pittel and his supporters engaged in "door-to-door solicitation" in the Palo Verde residence halls, which violated the election code.

The e-mail said Ford issued the disqualification "in response to [Rigazio's] complaint."

Ford said a post left by Max Dembow on the Pittel campaign's Facebook group Web site also influenced her decision.

"You fools owe me BIG," Ford said Dembow wrote. "I will claim at least 100 votes. Who knows, maybe I will be one of your senators?"

Appleton supporter Branden Corrigan on Wednesday accused Dembow of illegal campaigning in the residence halls, allegations Dembow said Wednesday were untrue.

Dembow did not return calls seeking comment Sunday.

In his reply e-mail, Rigazio asked Ford whether her decision meant the Appleton ticket had been declared the winners of the election.

"I don't really know the process," Ford replied. "[The Pittel campaign] can appeal."
Ford declined to comment other than to say that nothing was final.

"I'm in a pretty awkward position between both executive tickets," Ford said.

Director of Student Engagement Daniel Ashlock confirmed that the Pittel ticket had been disqualified.

However, Pittel said the allegations are "false" and "completely biased."

"This thing happens every year," Pittel said. "It's ridiculous that [Appleton] wants to disenfranchise the votes of 1,600 students."

He said Ford informed him of her decision last week, which he plans to appeal to the Associated Students of ASU Supreme Court.

Current USG President Liz Simonhoff, an Appleton supporter, said that she didn't want to get involved.

"I'm staying out of it," Simonhoff said. "It's none of my business."

Meanwhile, Appleton said that although he expects Pittel to appeal, he and his running mates — Terra Ganem for vice president of services and Rigazio for vice president of policy — are prepared to take over as USG's executive board in the fall.

"As of right now, [we] are looking forward to serving the students of ASU," Appleton said.

Reach the reporter at: andre.f.radzischewski@asu.edu.