A run off for the position of vice president for External Affairs will take place on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on myBama.

The top two vote getters, Jimmy Taylor, who polled at 47 percent in the March 6 election, and Kyle Zimmerman, who polled at 42 percent, will remain on the ballot. Jeff Elrod, who polled at nine percent, will not. The remaining two percent of the vote belonged to various write-in candidates.

Per the Student Government Association Constitution, a candidate must receive at least one vote more than 50 percent to be declared the victor.

Some of Taylor’s key platform points include starting a Beat Auburn, Beat Cancer initiative aimed at raising funds for cancer research, facilitating and encouraging student voting in local, state and federal elections and increasing interaction with the downtown area with initiatives like the Downtown Express.

“What really separates me [from Zimmerman] is my ability to really get things done,” Taylor said. “I have solid plans that I know I can accomplish and that I know are going to get done. I’ve already spoken with people about Beat Auburn, Beat Cancer; I actually came over to this Relay for Life meeting and spoke to the American Cancer Society earlier today.

“We’re going to start working this summer on that whether I get this position or not. I have projects that I know are real, they aren’t just outlandish, not saying that his are, but I know that these can get done, and I’m going to get them done.”

A few of Zimmerman’s key platform points include a plan to strengthen the relationship between UA and the City of Tuscaloosa, the creation of a UA taxi service using punch cards, the creation of the West Alabama Business Showcase and helping to make UA an eco-friendly campus.

“There are no distractions from other candidates or other campaigns,” Zimmerman said. “The spotlight is on the race for vice president for External Affairs, which will allow for students to closely analyze Jimmy and me.”

“I will be out campaigning every day to gain each and every vote, because everyone’s individual opinion matters,” Zimmerman said. “I believe this will set me apart from Jimmy because it will show my never ending determination to better this campus, and make it a campus that is open and fair for every person at the University of Alabama.”

The challenge is going to get the student body re-energized and back in the mood to vote. There were about 10,000 students who voted in the last election, which leaves 20,000 untapped votes. One might think that voter turnout will be lower, but an isolated race has the potential to get more students motivated for the sake of competition.

“I hope that the students will see my passion, see my determination and take part in a little something different to advance UA,” Zimmerman said.

Elrod said he wasn’t making any kind of commitment to either candidate.

“I wish both of them the best of luck,” Elrod said.