Hopefully the third time is the charm for the Associated Students of Madison candidate elections.

During a press conference Monday afternoon, the Student Election Commission publicly announced that voting for ASM Student Council would begin today, marking the third time ASM has tried to conduct the election.

"The Student Election Commission and ASM staff have been working tirelessly to make this election possible and I would like to personally thank everyone involved," said Tim Leonard, chairman of the SEC.

The new elections, to be conducted by paper balloting, will be held today and tomorrow at eight different campus locations: Memorial Union, Union South, Van Hise Hall, College Library, Grainger Hall, Steenbock Library, the SERF and the Health Sciences building. Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the two days and student IDs are required to ensure students only vote once.

"I encourage all students to participate, and I thank the entire student body, especially the candidates, for their optimism," Leonard said.

The ASM elections first opened March 28, but two series of technical problems forced the commission to twice postpone the elections until today. The failed elections have created a slew of controversy on campus, as well as calls from detractors of possible conspiracy.

"It has been a frustrating election," said Natalie Sandry, ASM elections marketing director.

Sandry stressed the candidates have been campaigning for the last month and they should not be punished for the technical failings with low voter turnout.

"These candidates are running for positions that can make changes," Sandry said. "Students should make sure their voice is heard."

Throughout the press conference, speakers were not quick to blame anyone, instead focusing on what could be done to fix the problem.

"Instead of placing blame or finger-pointing, I think what is most important, and what I think that I value most about the students at Wisconsin, is that we're really ready to pick ourselves up and focus on the task at hand," Interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam said.

But ASM and SEC continue to worry that some students may not make time to vote in these elections.

"The biggest drawback to the paper election, of course, is convenience," Leonard said.

However, ASM and Berquam remain hopeful that students will realize the importance of the issues and go to a polling place and vote.

"We need to have students vote, that's the critical issue here," Berquam said. "The first time it didn't work, the second time it didn't work, the third time — it's going to work."

Despite the apparent problems that may arise with paper balloting, there are some positives.

"The obvious benefit of [a paper ballot] is that we have actual hardcore records of every person that votes," said Leonard.

The press conference ended with all three speakers encouraging students to get out and vote despite problems and frustrations with the past two elections.

"It should be a quick and easy process," Sandry said.

Speakers were confident that students will do the right thing by making the decision to vote.

"The amount of support we've been getting has been amazing," Leonard said.

Due to a reporting error, the ASM elections marketing chair should have been identified as Natalie Fandrey. We regret the error.