When University Coalition gathered at the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house to hear the results of the Student Government Association election, the slate wasn't sure what to expect.
"All I know is that there's gonna be a big, green check mark graphic for whoever won," presidential candidate Kerri Cropper said.
Minutes later, Cardinal Impact's slate appeared with that big, green check mark. The slate beat University Coalition by 30 percent, a difference of 976 votes.
Members of University Coalition said the most difficult thing to overcome in this year's election was the apathetic attitude of much of the student body.
SGA is here to represent the students, but it's hard to do that when students don't care, Cropper said.
Vice presidential candidate Michelle Voss said she was surprised at the number of voters.
"We've been with the students every moment," she said. "I thought more students would vote."
Megan Veit, candidate for secretary, said Ball State University lost honesty and compassion by not electing University Coalition.
Voss said it was hard to watch members of other slates change when they started campaigning.
"The rhetoric is done now," Veit said. "We need to hold (Cardinal Impact) accountable, keep them honest and keep talking."
Cropper and Derrick Stalbaum, candidate for treasurer, said they hope students take their "We are all SGA" platform and push it on Cardinal Impact.
Cropper said this platform item was the most pressing platform to her.
"It's so important that students' voices get heard," she said. "I'll be back."
Cardinal Collaboration placed last in the overall results with 582 votes, falling eight percentage points behind second-place University Coalition. The losing slates were separated by 280 votes, something Cardinal Collaboration presidential candidate Nathan Meeks said served as a positive to take away from the election.
"It was a good feeling knowing that we didn't get slaughtered," Meeks said. "It's still never fun to lose, but we were pleased with our efforts."
Throughout the campaign, Meeks said his slate sought to provoke competition this election season, and he felt Cardinal Collaboration ultimately helped reduce the level of student apathy. Meeks and fellow slate members Alyson Tennant, Tony Dalesandro and Megan Kirschner received the results via telephone at Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant. He said the four have become very close through the campaign season, and the one thing Meeks will take away from this election is "three new friendships."
"I think we absolutely did our best," Meeks said. "When I look in the mirror tomorrow, I'm not going to feel any regret."
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