The fourth measure would allow students to voteon holding general elections at the beginning ofeach semester. The council currently holdselections only at the beginning of the academicyear.

"Dead weight, then, would not be an issue,"Davis said, noting that each representative wouldface a re-election campaign just a few months intohis or her tenure. "It's not an issue ofmicromanagement. It's an issue of democracy."

Election Reform

Finally, Davis' petition would allow areferendum on the annual popular election of thecouncil's officers--president, vice president,secretary and treasurer.

Officers are presently elected at the beginningof each semester by and from the council itself.

"Representatives from the houses serve theirconstituents," Davis said. "This gives anincentive for officers to think of issues on acampus-wide basis, to take a broader view."

"It would give instant legitimacy to thecouncil," Davis added.

Davis said she plans to table in various housesand to contact various house committees in aneffort to enlist their support in tabling.

The petition specifies that the referendumwould be held on April 19, 20 and 21 of this year.

Council President Carey W. Gabay '94 was notavailable for comment yesterday