The Associated Students’ Government elections at Colorado State University-Pueblo are quickly approaching. The actual polling will take place on April 21 and 22, but a great deal of work must be done in the mean time to prepare for the election on campus.

Dustin Cox, chair of the campaign commission, has been working to ensure that the election code is upheld and that five commissioners are hired to help enforce it.

“Because of spring break, the timing will be challenging,” Cox said. “Once we have five commissioners, we’ll be planning the Election Code Interpretation meeting that will happen March 21.”

Once the commissioners are in place, they will perform several specific duties including the advertisement of the election. These advertisements will show the various deadlines and dates of poling, the offices to be filled and the eligibility requirements of those offices.

They will work with the on-campus media to make sure the election dates and other important information are made available to the student population.

Commissioners will also help the chair to certify that those wishing to run are eligible and that all the signatures on their petitions are valid.

This year’s election is called the ASG General Election. The offices to be filled include president, vice president and several other leadership positions.

According to Cox, some students run as individuals, while others run in groups much like a political party with an agenda. It is also possible to run as a write-in candidate. Write-ins are bound by the same regulations as official candidates, but their names do not appear on the ballot.

Once all the petitions are received, the election commission will begin the verification process, which will culminate in the announcement of the candidates and the beginning of campaign planning.

Prospective candidates who want to be included on the ballot must attend the Election Code Interpretation meeting where they will complete a declaration of candidacy and be given instructions for submitting their petition to run.

The Election Code Interpretation meeting will be held Friday, March 21 from 6-8 p.m. in the Aspen Leaf room on the third floor of the Occhiato University Center. Attendance is mandatory for those wanting to run for office.

Anyone wishing to view the election code and the eligibility requirements for office may do so on the CSU-Pueblo website at www.colostate-pueblo.edu/ASGelections.