It's that time of year again: election season. And while most of the focus is on the antics of the current presidential election, I think it should be on something more local (for the time being, at least). Arkansas State's Student Government Association is currently holding their own presidential campaign and I wanted to tell you a little bit about who I'll be voting for in this upcoming election.

Hannah Aldridge, a sophomore dietetics major from Jonesboro is running for SGA President. She is the Philanthropy Chair for Alpha Gamma Delta, Public Relations Director for Student Government Association, on the executive board for St. Jude's Up 'til Dawn, a Resident Assistant, a Debutant for the Delta Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Residence Hall Association.

Ross Grant, a junior pre-med major from Bryant is running for SGA Vice President. He is a member of Sigma Chi, a two-time Pack Leader, Greek Week Co-Chair for IFC and an SGA Senator.

Now why should you vote for this dream team? Here's why.

1. Safe Rides Program

Have you ever been stuck at the library during finals after an all-day study session? What about if your car broke down and you can't get to or from class? Or what if your ride left you at a party and you can't find a ride home? This is where the Safe Rides Program comes in. The Safe Rides Program's purpose is to provide students with a safe means of transportation from an inconvenient or uncomfortable situation.

So when could you use Safe Rides? On an awkward date, when your keys are locked in your car, if you're stranded at an undesirable location, if you're too tired to drive home, if it's too late and you don't want to walk back to your dorm in the dark or even if you just need a sober driver.

I know what you're thinking: "OMG, best idea ever, where has this been my whole life?!" And I'm right there with you. Aldridge-Grant 2016 will work to make this dream that so many of us have had a reality.

2. Work It Off

Let's be honest—Arkansas State is known for many, many things. Our awesome football program (actually, athletics as a whole), our Student Union that was selected as one of the "30 Most Amazing Student Unions for 2015" by Best College Values and, of course... Parking tickets.

Who has a solution for when you've somehow managed to accumulate $200 in parking tickets in two days? Aldridge-Grant 2016 does.

This is where Work It Off comes into play. This program is aimed to allow students to perform community service to cover the cost of parking tickets incurred on campus. This program would be a partnership with Volunteer A-State, and tasks could be anything from cleaning up around campus to working in the food pantry.

3. Late Night Food Options

You've been up studying for a test at the library. The Simply-To-Go in the lobby has long been closed and you don't feel like driving off campus to get something to eat. So you're out of luck, right? Wrong!

Aldridge-Grant 2016 hopes to work closely with Sodexo to allow late night food options, whether that be food trucks or select options opened in the food court or dining hall.

4. Town Hall Meetings

Being one person in a sea of close to 10,000 A-State students can be overwhelming. At times, it feels like your voice can never be heard. Aldridge-Grant 2016 wants to provide an opportunity for all organizations to have a say in what's going on around campus.

This is where their platform comes in: Unifying the University. They want to make each and every student feel like they're a part of Arkansas State University. You should vote for who values you as an individual and will strive to make A-State a better place.

Aldridge-Grant 2016: Unifying the University.

Voting begins on Thursday, March 10, at 9 a.m. and ends on Friday, March 11, at 9 a.m.