First-day polling results of Associated Students Inc. government elections showed a decrease in votes by 26 percent compared to last year, according to Dr. Stuart Farber, director of student life and development.
The total number of votes verified Monday night was 534 compared to last year's 720, Farber said.
The fact that Cal State Long Beach has two candidates for president instead of last year's three is one possible reason for this, he said.
Another reason for the decline in voter turnout could be the lack of critical issues discussed by the candidates, resulting in a decreased interest from constituents, Farber said. In the last election, issues like potential fee increases peaked voter interest, he said.
This year's larger, more private voting tables are the result of the student election commission's desire to make the polling places more effective.
This year there are two areas at each voting place; one for questions on how to operate the automatic voting machine and verifying student ID, another for placing votes.
Another new feature of this year's voting places is the large signs identifying each location.
In this year's election, because there are only two candidates seeking office, for both the presidential and vice-presidential positions, the candidate with the most votes will win.
To be elected as treasurer, because there are three candidates, the winner needs a simple majority to win, which is more than 50 percent of the votes.
If one candidate does not win by a simple majority, then the two with the most votes will move on to a run-off election to determine the winner.
For the six senator-at-large positions, the six of the seven candidates with the most votes will win.
A final count and verification of votes will be done tonight by Martin and Chapman Company, a firm that specializes in vote counting.
The elections commissioner will announce the results at 11 p.m., outside of Room 210, in the University Student Union.