Student Government Association spring 2010 elections have concluded with a total turnout of 2,795 voters, the second-highest recorded on campus in the past eight years.

John Jewell, the 2009-2010 SGA president, attributed this to a more competitive election season. With three amendments and three different presidential candidates on the ticket, students had more incentive to vote.

Those running for elected positions also took an active role in improving election results in their favor.

To reach this second highest recorded voting rate, Jim Saywell and Kelly Nestor said they ran a successful campaign by talking to individual students on campus.

"Our campaign was based more on reaching people on a personal level," said Saywell, newly elected SGA president. "For every person we met, we would explain our ideas for student government next year."

Since the main tenets of the Saywell/Nestor platform have much to do with the student organizations on campus, a big strategy was to speak directly to them. Saywell said that this personal approach was one of the most effective tenets of the campaign.

To get the message out to as many students as possible, Saywell/Nestor dorm, Darkside and Ghetto stormed.

"Walking around door-to-door or house-to-house was incredible because we were able to explain [to everyone] what we're all about," Saywell said.

According to Saywell, SGA will have a completely different look next year.

"Rather than having SGA doing things that not many students get involved in, SGA will give most of its money to other student groups on campus," he said.

Student organizations will be much better off next year now that Saywell and Nestor have been elected, he said.

"Next year will be a year when people begin to get passionate about student government," Saywell said of the frustration he feels because no one knows what SGA does.

That will change, too, he said. Saywell said groups will be much more connected to student government next year. Student government will in turn be more connected with the students, he said.

"We are excited to see SGA actually make a real impact on students' lives because it is the student's money that SGA currently wastes," he said.

Saywell and Nestor gained 64.5 percent of the study body vote, winning against Christine Farmer and Ismael Ruiz.

"I am heartbroken that I cannot serve, and I hope that the result of the election is in the best interest of the students and the university," Farmer said. "I made no promises throughout my campaign, but I make this promise: My passion will not ever fade, and I will still work and be there for each and everyone of you."

Jewell hopes that Saywell and Nestor will continue to challenge themselves and SGA next year, making sure to always stand strong in their decisions.

"Think for yourselves; you have many people to point at you to do different things, but it has to be yours," Jewell said. "It's important they realize their titles do not guarantee anyone will listen to them. They need to first build trust and respect before others will truly believe or want to hear what they have to say."