The race for Student Body President began tonight, with candidates declaring their intent to run and beginning their efforts to secure enough signatures to get on the ballot. Seven juniors are running for top student government office.

These seven students, along with their campaign teams, will be collecting signatures throughout campus and online during the next week, though they are not allowed to do so in any academic buildings or the  Pit (which, by the BOE’s official definition, only includes the lowered area). Candidates must have 1,250 unique signatures by 5 p.m. Jan. 31 in order to be on the ballot.

This year SBP candidates are allowed to dorm storm (go from door to door in residents halls) between 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, beginning tomorrow night. If you live in a dorm and do not wish to be disturbed during dorm storming, download the non-solicitation form from the BOE and post it on your door.

At tonight’s mandatory candidate meeting current SBP Mary Cooper encouraged students to keep this election season civil and positive.

“Use your campaigns to inspire people,” she said. “It will be a wonderful, exciting time.”

Before quickly leaving, she raised her eyebrows and said, “Let the games begin!”

Warche Downing

Hometown: Plymouth, N.C.

Major: Public Policy

Who would you have your last supper with? President Obama

Leigh Fairley

Hometown: High Point, N.C.

Major: Political Science and Sociology

Who would you have your last supper with? Steve Jobs

Nico Garces

Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.

Major: Interpersonal and Organizational Communications

Who would you have your last supper with? Yogi Berra

Will Leimenstoll

Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.

Major: Environmental Studies and Geography

Who would you have your last supper with? My mom

Calvin Lewis

Hometown: Creedmoor, N.C.

Major: Peace, War and Defense

Who would you have your last supper with? Can’t decide

Tim Longest

Hometown: Greenville, N.C.

Major: Economics and Philosophy

Who would you have your last supper with? Ernest Hemingway

Brian Min

Hometown: Seoul, Korea

Major: Psychology and Women’s Studies

Who would you have your last supper with? Beyoncé