The Graphic

Serving the Amherst Regional High School community since 1914.

It’s time to do better with our school elections

Opinion

By

The author argues we need an overhaul of how elections are run at ARHS.

The 2025 class council elections at ARHS brought to light acts of bribery, unfulfillable promises, and a lack of substantial engagement. With candidates facing limited campaign time, the focus shifted toward popularity rather than genuine leadership qualities. To address these concerns and ensure a fair and meaningful election process, strategic changes need to be applied.

To begin, candidates should be mandated to present comprehensive plans which include their visions, and a detailed overview of their strategy. Such requirements would provide voters with the necessary information, crucial for making informed decisions based on the merit of each candidate’s plans rather than their popularity.

Additionally, adopting generic labels for each candidate to attach to their platforms or statements, as opposed to disclosing their names, could serve to uphold the principles of impartial voting practices.

It is also essential to provide candidates with a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities associated with being a part of the class council. By offering clear and concise descriptions of each position and its potential impact, prospective council members could better prepare to address the needs and aspirations of other students.

Furthermore, empowering students to voice their concerns and drive substantive change is more important than anything else. Establishing a dedicated platform where students could propose and deliberate on issues under the guidance of the class council would nurture a culture of unity and collaboration within the community. 

In conclusion, by redirecting the focus from popularity to competence, authentic representation, and transparency, the class council elections can become more than just students having fun.

Instead, it could actively help students shape their educational environment, ultimately causing positive transformation.

The reforms should align the election process with the core tenets of student leadership — advocating for someone who represents the interests of the student body with integrity and purpose.