An excited and lively crowd of Vote Bare supporters fell silent as Matt Bare held his cell phone, awaiting the Student Government Association election results. The silence continued as he hung up the phone and announced Vote Bare had lost the election by fewer than 300 votes.
"Our campaign team put together an amazing campaign and we did our best," Bare said.
After a few tense moments, the silence was broken by hugs, words of encouragement and tables of food as Vote Bare supporters continued their party in the Kappa Delta sorority suite on the third floor of Woodworth Hall.
"Obviously I'm disappointed," sophomore supporter Brittany Blake said. "I know all these people and I know they would have done a good job."
Wishing more students had participated in the election process, Rachelle Reichert, Vote Bare candidate for treasurer, said she remained positive but acknowledged some things won't change overnight. It will take time for students to become more involved in SGA and its elections, she said, but that shouldn't affect how candidates act.
"We kept our integrity throughout the election," Reichert said.
Vice presidential candidate Caleb Boucher said he was proud of how Vote Bare members conducted themselves during the campaign, and wouldn't have done anything differently.
"We ran a very good and clean campaign," Boucher said. "We attacked the issues that were important to the student body."
Looking into the future, Vote Bare members remain focused and confident despite their loss. While none of the members said they would participate in SGA after not winning the elections, Boucher said he is still interested in what will happen with the organization.
"I'm very disappointed, but I'm excited to see what U.N.I.T.E.D. can do and I'll be supportive," he said.
With the months of hard work and grueling campaign efforts behind her, Lisa Lightfoot, Vote Bare candidate for secretary, said she was going to take it easy.
"It was a hard-fought battle, but everything happens for a reason," she said. "It was a really good experience."
Elections Board chairwoman Kiersta Barnes said she thought more students should have been involved in the election process, but those students that were involved seemed well-informed and passionate about who they supported.
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