The ASUC Judicial Council has issued a ruling mandating that recall elections must follow the same procedures as regular elections.

The ruling was issued Dec. 24, as the recall election for ASUC Senator John Moghtader, scheduled for Jan. 26 and 27, approaches.

In accordance with the ruling, polling places must be set up and the election could potentially cost as much as a regular election, said ASUC Attorney General Michael Sinanian.

The elections council was given $48,000 in last year's spring budgeting process to cover the coming year's regular election.

Sinanian said he had hoped the election could be held entirely online in an effort to reduce costs, but the ruling clarified that physical polling places at residence halls and dining commons are required.

Sinanian added that he is concerned Elections Council Chair Emily Liedblad, who was not officially appointed to her post until Dec. 1, might have difficulty gathering the staff necessary to hold an election.

"The thing that worries me is that the elections council chair can get together all her poll coordinators," he said. "Also, getting the word out about the election ... so it's not a one-sided recall attempt."

According to the ruling, the recall will be treated as a proposition would be in any other election.

For Moghtader to be recalled, two-thirds of the students represented by Moghtader must vote in favor of the recall.

A judicial council ruling earlier this month clarified that the entire student body is represented by any given senator, meaning all students are eligible to cast votes in the recall election.

Tags: RECALL ELECTION, ASUC