From April 27 to May 1, 2026, University of California, Riverside (UCR) students will have the opportunity to elect officers for the 2026-27 Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) and to vote on the R’Garden and Highlander Abroad Referendum. However, this year’s elections have been marked by apathy due to the lack of candidates, minimal campaigning and limited outreach from ASUCR to the student body.
In the Senate, seven candidates are running for nine seats in the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences (CHASS); five candidates are running for five seats in the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS); one uncontested candidate is running for the single seat in the School of Education (SOE); and one uncontested candidate is running for the single seat in the School of Public Policy (SPP).
Across multiple colleges, including CHASS, the largest student college, there are fewer candidates than available positions, and several candidates are running uncontested. With more than 26,000 students and the largest incoming class of first-year students, it is concerning that ASUCR cannot hold a competitive and transparent election featuring candidates who can represent the entire student body.
This year’s Elections Director and Elections Committee have not effectively promoted the ASUCR elections, as evidenced by limited social media advertising and few public forums beyond the public debates for students to learn about candidates. In previous years, the Elections Committee hosted events to encourage students to run through more outreach. They have also promoted voting in ASUCR elections by offering students incentives. This year, those efforts have stopped.
Additionally, The Highlander’s News team conducted significantly fewer candidate interviews this year than in previous years and many candidates — particularly in the Senate — did not respond to outreach. Endorsements help The Highlander and students learn about the candidates, including their background, prior experience, plans if elected and accomplishments if they already hold a position in ASUCR. If endorsed, candidates receive a platform in The Highlander to share their campaign goals.
The Highlander sent multiple emails about endorsement meetings and attended Senate meetings to inform ASUCR members and the audience during public comment about the endorsement process. While some ASUCR members have said that their emails were not working, this is simply not an excuse and is concerning, given that they need their email accounts to fulfill their responsibilities.
This is not to say that some candidates’ decision not to seek endorsements should disqualify them, but it does raise questions about their commitment to campaigning and engaging with the student body. With many candidates running uncontested or in races where they are guaranteed to win, there is nothing to hold them accountable. If they do not want to talk with the student newspaper, it is fair to ask whether they will even engage with UCR students.
Campaigning is more difficult because of restrictions on posting materials around campus, especially at the Highlander Union Building (HUB). The Time, Place and Manner policy has had a chilling effect on student activism, campus culture and now ASUCR elections following the UCR pro-Palestinian encampments.
However, ASUCR’s lack of effort to engage with students is most frustrating. It requires some creativity and work, but candidates could still talk to students by the Bell Tower, visit classrooms, check in with campus resources like Costo Hall and attend community events.
These are all opportunities for them to learn about campus issues and share their campaign goals, yet many candidates seem not to take them because they expect to win. If this campaigning style continues at UCR, it will hurt student representation and lower the standard ASUCR should uphold for student engagement.
Students are busy and stressed about what is happening in this country and may understandably be unable to stay informed about ASUCR. Moreover, this makes transparency even more important.
Other UC student governments have established initiatives, such as databases that track elected officials’ legislation, meeting attendance, voting records and funding decisions. ASUCR should do something similar or elections will become popularity contests, especially since student turnout has been low recently. If students have this information when voting, they can make informed decisions, leading to greater accountability.
ASUCR has recognized their mistakes for years and pledged to fix them. Now is the time to take action. They should begin by reexamining their campaign strategies and engaging with students both face-to-face and via social media.
UCR students should still vote in this election, especially since referenda like the R’Garden are on the ballot. ASUCR also oversees funding and has authority over many student resources and organizations that directly affect UCR students’ lives, whether they know it or not. By voting in this election, UCR students can shape what student life will be like next year.
But no one should be surprised if student turnout is low.
The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.
