Student voting in the runoff election for Associated Student Body vice president will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, on myOleMiss. The winner will be announced on the steps of the Lyceum after voting closes.
Candidates in the runoff are Josie McCarey, a sophomore public policy leadership and international studies major from Marietta, Ga., and Trey McKean, a junior public policy leadership major from Fairhope, Ala.
The runoff comes after spring election results for ASB were announced on Tuesday, March 24. Races for ASB executive roles, senior class leadership and ASB Senate spots were announced Tuesday at the Lyceum steps.
In a five-way race for vice president, McCarey received 803 votes (27.63% of the total votes cast) and McKean received 627 votes (21.58%).
Upon the announcement Tuesday night, McCarey shared her excitement and relief upon making the runoff.
“I’m so excited. I was really nervous. I knew we’d probably go into runoffs because of how many candidates there are,” McCarey said. “I was really hoping for the best, which was obviously two more days of tabling, which I’m actually really excited about. I’m not ready for it to end, so I’m just really happy that I made it here.”
McCarey also expressed gratitude for her team and voters up to this point.
“I’m just so thankful that people have had trust in me and have supported me through this, regardless of what happens on Thursday,” McCarey said. “It’s just been such an awesome experience.”
McKean expressed a “survive and advance” mentality.
“I kind of knew it was going to be a runoff. I mean, it was five people. … Josie is great, (I’ve) known Josie for years — couldn’t ask for a better candidate. But yeah, it’s the mentality of ‘survive and advance’ right now,” McKean said.
McKean also expressed excitement to be back on the campaign trail.
“I was here last year as senator. … I was lucky enough to be victorious,” McKean said. “Hopefully Thursday will come around and I can get the same result. … I just want to do what’s best for the university — that’s why I ran for the position in the first place.”
While vice presidential candidates must wait for results in the runoff, newly elected candidates are ready to work in their new roles, including ASB president-elect OC Williford.
Williford, a junior public policy leadership major from Madison, Miss., won the ASB presidential election with 2,195 votes, or a 76.27% vote share.
The ASB president-elect says she is prepared to meet with staff and administrators to get initiatives moving forward.
“I’m so excited, and it’s going to be such a privilege to be able to serve,” Williford said after being elected ASB president for the upcoming year. “I’ve been serving as the chief of staff for a year now, and I’m more than ready to start day one.”
Junior public policy leadership and English major Caroline Croley, an Atlanta native, secured her re-election as secretary in an uncontested race. Croley also shared her eagerness to continue serving on ASB.
“I was very, very excited,” Croley said. “It’s such an honor to be voted in as secretary for another year by this campus that I love so much.”
Croley expressed her desire to build upon her previous term as secretary and improve upon her past work.
“I’m going to try, and I will top everything that I did last year,” Croley said. “Just because I’ve already done it does not mean that I’m going to get lazy. I’m here to work, and I’m here to make the secretary’s department the best it can be.”
Jackson Doss, a sophomore public policy leadership and accountancy major from Oxford, won the treasurer’s race with 1,563 votes, or 56.61% of the votes cast.
“I’m feeling amazing, and I want to thank my entire team because every one of them has helped me throughout this process,” Doss said. “My platform was to raise money and market our student activities fund better, and that is what I intend to do.”
Newly elected attorney general Lucy Allen, a junior public policy leadership major from Brookhaven, Miss., won the position with 2,054 votes, or a 74.42% vote share.
Allen described her feelings upon winning, referencing the theme of love that has been so prevalent in her “Love Like Lucy” campaign.
“I’m so ecstatic, but I’m just very humbled and grateful. The community that’s come out and supported me this entire time — it’s just been incomparable,” Allen said. “I’ve known about the community that surrounds ASB and my people, but to truly see them in such a tangible expression of love has been so, so humbling, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity. I’ve served in ASB for three years, and I can’t wait to do it for one more.”
Allen also expressed a desire to be approachable in her position and provide a trustful voice in ASB.
“Get ready, we’re bringing love back. It’s gonna be fun. I want to talk to everyone,” Allen said. “Feel free to knock on my door anytime. I’m always there. I want to be a supportive, loving voice that you know you can trust.”
Junior biomedical engineering major Ashlyn Minga, of Hattiesburg, Miss., won the judicial chair position in an uncontested race.
Despite running unopposed, Minga was nevertheless excited about her campaign win.
“I was very excited,” Minga said. “I did run unopposed, so (it) wasn’t super shocking. But I was very excited. And I can’t wait for the year.”
Minga also said that the university judicial process is designed to help students, not hurt them.
“I just want everyone to know that restorative justice is very alive at this university,” Minga said. “The conduct process does not exist to hurt people, but we want to help you get back on the track to success.”
Junior finance major and Diamondhead, Miss., native Ella Key will serve as the 2027 senior class president. Key won the election in an uncontested race.
Key said she will embrace her new role with enthusiasm.
“I’m so excited for what’s to come, and I’m really excited to serve my senior class,” Key said. “I’d like to thank my campaign manager, Julia Case, and the ASB department of justice for all of the hard work they put into this election cycle.”
Newly elected senior vice president and public policy leadership major Elle Nassar shared her eagerness to begin in her new position.
“I was really excited and grateful after I heard my name get called,” Nassar said. “It’s always stressful to run for any position, and I’d like to say thank you to all of my friends, (Delta Gamma) sisters and my good friend Neelie for her support this week.”
Maya Reilly, a senior marketing major of Southold, N.Y., won the position of senior class secretary.
In total, 2,878 students voted in the presidential race in this year’s ASB spring election by voting on myOleMiss. This year’s election will be the last ASB election conducted using the myOleMiss website, with new platform Experience slated to take over in the fall.
Winning candidates will be sworn in during a joint session of the ASB senate on March 31 and begin as new ASB representatives for the 2026-27 school year.
