Ernesto "Che" Guevara may be dead, but his image lives on.

Especially right now on the SPU campus.

B.J. Louws, senator of business and economics, is currently in charge of the Election Task Force (ETF). The ETF organizes the election and regulates campaigning. This year's election theme was "Viva la revolucion!"

"We chose Che for the posters because he's a recognized symbol," Louws said. "We wanted it to be edgy."

Che Guevara, an Argentina-born communist, is widely known for his part in Fidel Castro's overthrow of the Cuban government in 1959. After working for Castro's new government for four years, Che went to fight for revolution in Bolivia. He was captured by the Bolivian Army and executed on Oct. 9, 1967 (www.historyofcuba.com).

Guevara's traditional figure, complete with beard and cap, is emblazoned on signs and banners all over campus, informing students of the dates of the Associated Students of Seattle Pacific (ASSP) primary and general elections and last Wednesday night's election forum.

At the forum, this year's ASSP officer candidates outlined their platforms in brief speeches before the small crowd that gathered in Weter Lounge. Cheering and applause followed each candidate's speech.

Student response to the forum seemed very positive.

Heidi Weisman, a freshman majoring in communications, said she was glad she had gone to the forum, and added that she was disappointed with the number of attendees.

"This is great," she said. "I can't believe that some people didn't come -- we're spending so much money on school, you owe it to yourself to be informed."

Before and after the speeches, students were free to mingle with and personally ask questions of the candidates. Each candidate had set up a table with fliers and stood behind it, happy to speak volumes on his or her plans for the next school year.

"It's definitely worth it to be here," said Brian Hanson, the associated undergraduate students of business and economics president. "It's the most engaging event for undergraduates to meet potential representatives."

Each candidate gave a three to four minute speech and took two questions from the audience. Write-in candidates did not give speeches.

The general election this year, which is on April 14, will include two candidates that used the "write-in" process to get onto the ballot. Write-in candidates have to convince voters to do more than just check off a box. They need to garner enough attention and recognition to convince students to actually write their name down on the ballot.

Associated Students of Seattle Pacific election regulations state that the two candidates in each position that receive the most votes in the primary will be placed on the general election ballot.

What is unusual about this year's election is that the ASSP President and Vice President of Campus Ministries positions each only had two candidates. Therefore, these candidates had to receive only a single vote to be eligible for the general election.

"While a write-in is definitely part of the political system, it doesn't show thought on the part of the person running for the position," said Cory Shepherd.

The position of Vice President of Campus Activities is uncontested. As it stands, Tiffany Rand is running unopposed.

Jessica Whitehead, executive vice president of ASSP, doesn't see this as a problem.

"We have a credible candidate pool," she said. "I think the right people applied."

When asked why she did not run for re-election as executive vice president, Whitehead said that she preferred that "new blood moves in."

Last year, there was a 40 percent turnout for undergraduate voters in the ASSP general election, according to Louws and Whitehead. Louws said that he thought Che Guevara's classic pose should get more people excited about the election.

"We thought about using Reagan's picture, you know, the Reagan revolution, but decided to go with Che," he said.