Once again, just like every spring, DASB Senate elections are coming and it’s unclear exactly what each candidate stands for or what he/she wants to accomplish.

Yet somehow students are still expected to vote.

With no way to make an informed decision, the elections are little more than a popularity contest.

One problem with the DASB Senate election process is the candidates’ statements do not provide any helpful information about the candidates.

Every year, candidates make promises to attending students, in making their time at De Anza an enjoyable experience by increasing diversity and environmental justice.

None of these are bad ideas, but the candidates never say how they will accomplish these goals. If a candidate says they want to support environmental justice on campus, for example, the candidate should be required to point to specific programs that they will support or eliminate.

Voters could learn more about those asking for their votes is if the candidates were no longer allowed to include “listening to student concerns” and “advocating for students” as part of their campaign platforms. These are not bold campaign promises; they’re a part of the job description.

Removing these promises from the senate candidates’ repertoire would force them to spend time addressing what makes them the best candidate for the job.

Electing the senators and the student trustee is no trivial matter. The senate appropriates a $1.5 million budget every year and decides which student programs get the funding they need to thrive.

The student trustee is the students’ most influential voice at the district level.

The candidates are being entrusted with too much responsibility for students to know so little about what they would do if elected.

A candidate might support increasing environmental sustainability on campus, but their plan to do so might involve spending thousands of dollars on projects that most students don’t support.

Voting doesn’t end until May 22, so every student who will be voting in this election should ask the candidates for details about their plans until the candidates provide useful information about their plans.

The DASB Senate elections are in need of serious reform so students can get a better idea of whom they are voting for. The election should be more than a popularity contest.