As students scrambled to the polls this week to vote for the next Student Association representatives, there were significantly more candidates to choose from than in previous years.

In 2007 and 2008, only two people ran for president. This year, however, six students ran.

Not to be outdone, five students were candidates for the role of executive vice president. Last year only two students were up for the position, and in 2006 and 2007 the candidates ran unopposed.

Elections committee chair Mary Leonardo said she was expecting more students to vote, due to the large number of people in the race.

“One hundred people voted in the first hour [Wednesday],” she added.

Another difference in this year’s elections was the eclectic bunch of students who ran, representing all corners of campus such as the Black Student Union and greek life.

“There are many ‘outsiders’ running,” said Boris Tadchiev, the current executive vice president. “It is good to see people who want to bring change into the way the SA operates.”

He added that some of the candidates don’t have much experience with student government positions, and experience is necessary for some but not for others. Tadchiev said he was happy to see those who have not always gotten very involved stepping up to the plate.