Hix '12 to run for SA president as write-in

Will Hix '12 will campaign as a write-in candidate in the election for student body president, despite his ineligibility to run under rules determined by the Election Planning and Advisory Committee and upheld by a Student Assembly vote last week, he said in an interview with The Dartmouth on Monday morning. Hix, who said he served a one-term suspension during Winter 2011 due to disorderly conduct and being a minor in possession of alcohol, will still run despite an EPAC ruling that prohibits students who have been suspended from the College from running for student body president or vice president. Hix protested the new rule in appeals to EPAC, the General Assembly and the College administration, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Although EPAC Chair Harry Enten '11 declined to comment about specific candidates, he said write-in candidates are subject to the same eligibility rules as those who submit petitions to be on the ballot. "The voting system will accept any student who is currently in the [Dartmouth Network Directory] but again, the eligibility requirements are the same for write-in candidates as those who submit petitions," Enten said. While EPAC verifies the eligibility of candidates who turn in petitions, the committee does not review the eligibility of write-in candidates until after the election has taken place, Enten said. Hix acknowledged his ineligibility to run under current EPAC rules, but said the student body "ought to be able to choose their president and they can't do that with only one person on the ballot." Max Yoeli '12 is the only candidate who will appear on the official slate, although Aaron Limonthas '12 confirmed his intent to run as a write-in candidate just after midnight on Monday morning, The Dartmouth previously reported. Hix said he intends to adhere to all EPAC rules concerning campaigning and will use what he learned as a result of his suspension to aid him in his campaign. "I made a very serious mistake and have learned a lot by subsequently reviewing my priorities," Hix said.