You may have seen posters on bulletin boards and determined students handing out flyers in the quad a few weeks ago. The 2025 Las Positas College Student Government (LPCSG) Election was underway.
Through candidates’ outreach to students and election volunteers’ marketing and organizational efforts, the election had a historic turnout. In an email Student Government Program Coordinator Josue Hernandez reported 700 votes within the first two days and a final count of 945 certified votes.
In a surprising turn three positions were tied within a one percent margin. This led to a run-off election, which also resulted in a large voter turnout of 391 certified votes.
Angelo Mercardo, the current LPCSG president, stated that the election was also historic because of the volume of candidates. In total, there were 20 candidates campaigning for the various positions.
“To know that there’s these 20 individuals that wish to break out of the discomfort and step up and become the leaders they are — that was just inspiring as a now-going-to-be former president,” Mercado said.
He believes that the candidates’ enthusiasm positively affected voter turnout.
“They came out there with all their energy, all the professionalism and all the hope and aspirations one would have to become a leader of the student body,” he said. “I think that really helped out the election results, the turnout, as well as the feedback and engagement we got from students.”
Volunteers spent countless hours planning, promoting, tabling, and hosting forums for two months. With the construction of a new STEAM building happening at the center of campus, volunteers in the elections committee chose to use the fences covering it as an opportunity to hang banners advertising the election.
Both the president-elect and vice president-elect are committed to student outreach as well. The elected leaders took the oath of office on May 8 and their terms will last one academic year starting the day after the Spring semester ends.
Naomi Mangini, President-elect, wants to educate people about student government and encourage interest in college affairs — a sentiment shared by the future Vice President Arya Ferozy. She is also an advocate for students’ rights.
“Many people I came across simply believed that student government didn’t matter, which is something I hope to change in the upcoming year,” Mangini said.
Still, LPC students this semester showed up in unprecedented fashion for Student Government. The results they produced are yet to be seen.
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TOP PHOTO: LPC Student Government President and Vice President incumbents pose for a photoshoot special to The Express, April 23. Naomi Mangini is the newly elected President and Arya Ferozi is the new Vice President. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Éloise Kangwai is a staff writer for The Express. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @sycamora8.
