Portland State University (PSU) students have the opportunity to participate in the decision-making processes related to their tuition, fees, and administrative matters through the Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU), the university’s student government.
However, despite this opportunity, student participation in elections remains disappointing, averaging less than 10 percent over the years.
ASPSU Advisor Madeline Frisk reports that from 1996 to 2024, only around 8 percent of students have voted in ASPSU elections.
In contrast, peer institutions like Oregon State University and the University of Oregon have seen voter participation roughly double that of PSU.
Frisk highlights crucial factors that could improve engagement, emphasizing the importance of both in-person and online engagement strategies.
She stated, “It’s figuring out the demographic data of the students who already participate and then filling in the gaps through specific resource centers.”
Candidates running for ASPSU positions also play a fundamental role in encouraging voter turnout.
Frisk believes that by actively communicating their platforms and informing students about their work and ASPSU’s previous accomplishments, candidates can significantly boost engagement.
“It’s a combination,” Frisk noted, referring to the roles of both ASPSU and individual candidates in promoting participation.
Current ASPSU President Brady Roland echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for candidates to elevate their visibility to attract voters.
He indicated that extensive promotion can lead to higher voter turnout, highlighting, “It’s basically just about trying to promote ourselves as much as possible and in turn get out the vote for the elections.”
Increased voter participation could enhance the influence of ASPSU, according to Roland.
He stated, “ASPSU is as powerful as the students make it to be,” suggesting that greater student engagement would lead to increased recognition and respect from university decision-makers.
However, the lack of participation has led some university executives to question ASPSU’s legitimacy as a representative body for the student population.
Roland shared his frustrations with this viewpoint, recounting his experiences during committee meetings where he faced skepticism regarding ASPSU’s representation due to low voter turnout.
“I sat on this committee, and, I kid you not, at least ten times one of the members of this committee continuously brought up the fact that we have low voter turnout in our elections, and so I’m not a real representative,” he remarked.
Despite these challenges, there is a sense of optimism within ASPSU.
The upcoming 2025 elections are witnessing the largest number of candidates since 2015, marking a 57% increase compared to 2024.
Additionally, although the percentage of voting students remains low, there has been a steady increase in turnout each year since the pandemic’s conclusion.
Jack Damm, the current Chair of the Elections Committee and a member of the Judicial Review Board, believes this could signal a new era for ASPSU.
“I think we are very, very passionate right now about ASPSU in a way that past candidates and past presidencies have not done as much,” Damm said.
He emphasized that a stronger, unified voice from students could significantly affect how the administration responds to their concerns.
“I think if there’s a more unified voice coming from the students, it would be harder for administration to ignore,” Damm concluded.
image source from：https://psuvanguard.com/aspsus-role-diminished-due-to-low-student-turnout/
