More ETSU students voted in this year’s student body election than ever before. The results from the April 10-11 elections have reinstated SGA President Josh Shearin and appointed his running mates, Stephen Linebarger and Ashley Hood as vice president and secretary/treasurer, respectively.
“That’s phenomenal,” Shearin said of the increased voter turnout that topped 3,000. “The most we’ve gotten in the last five years is about 1,200. It’s actually more than doubled.”
Shearin received 1,248 votes, Linebarger 1,012 and Hood 1,275. Twenty-nine new senators were also elected.
Hood is just as excited and even hopeful about the campus that is commonly known to be apathetic, “It says a lot, that the student body can be motivated if you motivate them.”
The ballot was different this year with the addition of a football referendum and two amendments to the constitution regarding SGA senators. Some students think this accounted for the increased numbers.
“Every student is interested in athletics,” junior Ashley Fuqua said. “One reason is because football is happening,” she added.
The referendum was voted down 1,907 to 1,322 but the attention it garnered from students was record-breaking.
“This is democracy in action. It was the issue of a new tax,” Shearin said, “Anytime you have to tell anyone that they have to pay more of anything, they become interested.”
Without football on the agenda, SGA is looking towards addressing other student needs.
“A lot of time and energy was spent with football so with more time on my hands, I hope to get the recycling program off the ground and look into clean energy,” Shearin said.
Hood wants to improve campus life. “A lot of changes are happening and I really want to be a part of that for the university,” Hood said, stating that she intends to help the SGA develop a more student-friendly environment on campus. “I think there is a lot we can do.

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