The Associated Students of Cosumnes River College yearly elections are set to take place on April 16 and 17.

Polls will be held in the Admissions and Records lobby area from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“These elections are for the students, so it’s important that they come out and vote,” said faculty coordinator of campus life Winnie LaNier.

Lanier, who also serves as the adviser to ASCRC and Los Rios student trustees, said that the voting will be done electronically on computers.

Three candidates will be running unopposed for positions that are available on the Student Senate, while five candidates will be running for one position in the Student Trustees.

However, those running unopposed will be subject to a yes or no vote, with no votes counting against them.

The Student Senate is “dedicated to serving the student body by specifically helping to promote the interests and rights of the students it represents,” according to the CRC website.

Students can attend the Candidate Forum on April 10 to hear those running for office speak about what they plan to do if elected.

As part of the application to run for office, candidates had to pick up an application in the Student Development Office, write a statement of intent and gather 50 signatures from currently enrolled CRC students, said current ASCRC student senate president Christina Alvarado. The applications were due on March 19.

Phase two of the election process involves an approved candidate campaigning and talking to students Alvarado said.

Alvarado said that a person who is “goal driven, organized and has experience leading others” usually makes a good candidate.

However, Alvarado and LaNier both agreed that it is up to the students to decide who they want in office.

“They [students] should expect someone to represent them,” LaNier said.

The elections usually see anywhere from 400-600 votes, Alvarado said, but admitted it fluctuates a lot.

Those elected will take office in the fall 2013 semester.

“We try to get more people to come out and vote than the previous year,” Alvarado said. “That is usually our goal.”