By Michael Freeman, Managing Editor

This year’s Students’ Association executive officers election, which featured the least voter participation in the past few years, also turned into one of the closest elections in recent history.

Charles Gaines, junior criminal justice major from Cedar Hill, was elected as next year’s SA president Wednesday. He defeated Daniel Burgner, junior political science major from Yorba Linda, Calif., by a mere 11 votes.

A total of 813 ballots were cast, which is 61 fewer votes than were cast last year. Gaines earned 411 votes, while Burgner received 400 votes

“When I was talking to some people and just encouraging them to vote, I was like, ‘Guys, it could come down to like 10 people,’ not realizing how close that statement really was,” Gaines said. “I knew it was going to be super close. There was no doubt about that. Daniel had some really great ideas.”

Tony Godfrey, junior English major from Burleson, won the vice presidential position, beating Scott Adrian, sophomore political science major from Glendale, Calif. Godfrey collected 475 votes, and Adrian received 325.

“The first thing I want to say is ‘thank you’ to the student body for voting for me,” Godfrey said. “The biggest thing they can expect from me is a huge paradigm shift from SA. No longer are we going to be saying, ‘Come down to our office and talk to us.’ We’re going to be getting out and talking to them.”

Luke Cochran, junior finance major from Round Rock, was elected to SA treasurer position for the 2009-10 school year. He ran unopposed and received 790 votes.

“I’m excited about the future of the Students’ Association,” Cochran said. “I’m also very excited about the vision Charles has for the Students’ Association and about some of the specific goals that Tony has and just tangible things he wants to do to increase the transparency in communication with the student body.”

After polls closed at 5 p.m. Wednesday, SA President Sarah Pulis, elections co-chair Blake Penfield and several other elections committee members counted the votes twice with a Scantron machine.

“I expected the presidential race to be close,” Pulis said. “Both candidates performed well in the debates; they both had very good Chapel speeches. I was in suspense until the very last minute.”

The participation in SA elections has been low for the past two years; 874 votes were cast last year, compared to 1,307 in 2007 and 1,310 in 2006.

“I think we expected a few more people, but it was still a good turnout,” Pulis said.

Pulis called each candidate after the votes were tallied to let them know the results.

“We ran a good campaign and we had some fun along the way,” Burgner said. “A lot of people showed a lot of support. We did the best that we could do, and the students chose.”

Both Burgner and Adrian said they look forward to next year’s Congress and plan to participate in it.

“I’m now focusing on running for junior senator and then possibly run next year for an executive office,” Adrian said. “I would like to thank everyone who helped with the campaign and wish good luck to next year’s executive officers.”

The winners of the elections now will focus on selecting their administrative officers. Applications will be available in the SA Congress office Thursday.

“It starts now,” Gaines said. “This isn’t a time for us to be separate. We all go to ACU and we need to move together as students in the direction we want to move in.”

Michael Freeman, Tanner Anderson, Colter Hettich and Sondra Rodriguez contributed to this report.

Voting Results by Number:

Presidential Candidates

Gaines: 411 Votes
Burgner: 400 Votes

Vice Presidential Candidates

Godfrey: 475 Votes
Adrian: 325 Votes

Treasurer

Luke Cochran: 790 Votes