The Undergraduate Student Government Election Commission cited presidential candidates Zach Gingg and running mate Ryan Owens with two campaign violations yesterday.
Six penalty points were given to the candidates -- just three short of disqualification.
The violations stem from three complaints filed last week.
The election commission cited Gingg and Owens three penalty points for posting campaign signs larger than 70 inches by 90 inches and three points for placing fliers on cars.
The code states that printed material can't be "attached to the body or glass of any vehicle" without owner consent.
Gingg and Owens said they misunderstood the wording in the election codes concerning the distribution of fliers.
"We're fine on the points," Gingg said. "It's really not going to hurt us that bad, but at the same time we are disappointed with the complaints being filed."
The candidates said they plan to appeal the decision.
All the other candidates from the first election, and the student government elections director, received complaints, but none were cited.
Gingg and Owens added that they fear the commission is biased because USG President Brandon Goad nominated the commissioners.
Goad has publicly endorsed Sophie O'Keefe-Zelman and Julie Johnson.
At press time, Goad could not be reached for comment.
Election commissioner and political science junior Travis Junion said there are flaws in the system, but the decisions are fair.
"I've tried to be fair and practical as best I could ... but honestly, I did Ryan [Owens] a favor by allowing them to stay in the race," Junion said.
The commission could have cited the candidates a point per placed flier, which would have disqualified them.
USG Senate President Miguel Ruiz, an electrical engineering senior and former vice presidential candidate, said that a committee is being formed to review the election code's wording.
"We want to make sure we do this right and we don't have any loopholes," he said. "There's a lot of room for improvement."
O'Keefe-Zelman and Johnson received one complaint for leaving fliers at the student government office.
According to the election codes, no campaign material can be left in the office.
Reach the reporter at jacqueline.shoyeb@asu.edu.
