AHS elections should be a popularity contest

2–3 minutes

AHS elections are completely fine

Staff Writer

Election season at AHS is over. The campaign posters have been taken down, the election results are in, and yet complaints of elections being a popularity contest remain strong.

But a popularity contest is what elections should be.

Elections, by their very nature, are based on individuals gaining office through popular support. This process ties popularity to winning elections.

Without complicated debates between candidates and extensive, flashy ad campaigns, elections at AHS differ from actual elections in the sense that it’s more difficult to garner support from strangers. Changes to AHS policy are difficult to promise as someone running for AHS elections for the first time, and eventually votes boil down to the question of which candidate is more well known by AHS students. Students want to be represented by someone they can trust and relate to, and being well known can achieve this goal.

A popular student isn’t just someone with lots of friends, they’re someone who interacts with a diverse set of students, from different friend groups, extracurriculars and grade levels. A well-connected candidate can represent a wider range of voices, making the representative more reflective of the student body as a whole.

Being popular also brings more faith in elected students. It’s easier to believe in a leadership led by people you personally know instead of a list of unfamiliar names on a ballot. Students’ votes aren’t usually based on campaign posters or ads—they’re basing their decision on actual interactions with that person. They’ve seen how that candidate interacts with others, how they handle responsibility, and how reliable they are.

The role of an elected student body involves fostering school spirit and organizing events, and being well-liked is an advantage here. Popularity doesn’t just affect elections—it also encourages student participation in school-run events. People are more willing to attend an event run by someone they know personally, whether it be a rally, fundraiser, or dance. When student leaders are socially active within the student body, they can make attending events seem less like obligations and instead more about going to show support for a friend.

While the term “popularity contest” may seem shallow, it’s an accurate depiction of democratic elections in general. Being the most well-liked isn’t a substitute for being a capable leader, but in a school setting, leadership is inherently tied to social influence. Here, popularity has value. At the end of the day, students want to be represented by those they know, trust, and believe in.