Despite last year’s schedule, Monteiro wrote that the Election Commission will uphold the new policies for now.
“If this is a change from last year, all I can say is that we have all new members except for Nancy [A. Redd ’03] and me,” Monteiro wrote, “and that we are trying to be very careful with the rules this year.”
Ernani J. DeAraujo ’03, who launched an aborted campaign for council president last year, said though the Election Commission rules differ from last year’s, the races are shaping up similarly.
“Last year, I think it was pretty clear who in the UC was planning to run. I think this year, it’s the same situation,” he said.
DeAraujo said candidates should be able make their intentions known without having to violate the rules.
“As long as you are in accordance with the letter of the law—and they are very explicit—you are fine. It’s okay to say, ‘I’m considering running,’” DeAraujo said.
According to DeAraujo, some candidates’ chances could be hurt by formal restrictions on public announcements.
“If nobody’s allowed to talk to The Crimson, some of the fresher-faced candidates might be boxed out,” he said.
A council insider who asked not to be named said that Chopra and Stannard-Friel have already begun to “circulate their names among friends.”
Monteiro said such requests for support are allowed by the council’s election rules so long as they do not take place in a public forum.
As of last night, it remained unclear whether additional candidates would join the fray.
Two weeks ago, council member Wesley H. Kauble ’06 sent a message to the council’s open e-mail list, indicating that Simon was also planning a campaign.
“Right now, Shira is trying to get me to work for her campaign,” Kauble wrote in the e-mail, which appeared to have been a private message to Lee that was accidentally sent to the council list.
Several people familiar with the council said Simon had originally intended to run with Treasurer Eric J. Powell ’04—but Simon said last night she doubts she will launch a campaign.
“I’m still not 100 percent sure, but I don’t think so,” Simon said.
Another potential candidate who seems to have ruled out the possibility of running in next month’s elections is CLC Co-Chair Michael R. Blickstead ’05. Blickstead said Smith had formally asked him to be his running-mate, but he declined.
—Staff writer Alexander J. Blenkinsopp can be reached at blenkins@fas.harvard.edu.