Voting is one of the most powerful ways to get your voice and opinion heard. As a student at Pacific, your voice and unique perspective can create an impact and spark change, and for many undergraduates, the general election in November is the first time you’ll get a say in who the next president will be.
During Pacific Welcome, Residential Life and Housing is hosting a voter registration event in collaboration with the Registered Voters of San Joaquin County. This is a great opportunity to learn about your impact and take the first step in making a difference.
You’re encouraged to attend the voter registration event at noon, Saturday, August 17 in the DeRosa University Center (DUC).
Qualifications to register to vote
Here is what you need to register to vote in California:
- Be 18 years old or older on Election Day (November 5)
- Be a United States citizen and a resident of California
Do our votes matter?
Casting a vote can feel like a drop in a bucket. It’s easy to feel discouraged to vote when there are millions of voters out there. However, none of them have the same experience as you do. You have your own perspectives, experiences and needs, and you can’t get them heard if you don’t speak up. By voting, you’re representing yourself and those who share the same views as you. The more voices, the more we can make meaningful change. So yes, your vote absolutely matters!
Voting is an integral part of Pacific’s history. Pacific pre-law student Dennis Warren started the “Let Us Vote” movement from his dorm room at Pacific in 1968. His movement grew to more than 300 college chapters and 3,000 high schools, giving students a voice in the national debate over lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. Two years later, the 26th Amendment was ratified.
Why should students vote?
As students, the policies and leaders we choose today will shape our future. Issues such as education funding and student loans have a direct impact on your entire academic journey. By voting, you can influence the decisions that affect your education and future career opportunities.
How to make voting convenient
According to an article by 538, younger voters are less likely to vote due to a number of barriers, such as long wait times, work commitments and missed voting registration deadlines.
Often, voters can get discouraged as lines could take hours to get through. Instead of standing in line, you can eliminate the wait time and vote by mail instead. Vote-by-mail ballots are automatically sent out to registered voters before election day.
To have your vote counted, make sure that your ballot is postmarked on or before Election Day and is received by your county elections office no later than seven days after Election Day.
If you’d rather drop it off, turn in your ballot to your Registrar of Voter’s office, an official drop box or any polling place by 8 p.m. election day, November 5.
Your vote is one of the most powerful tools you have when it comes to shaping your future and helping your community. Take the time to register, stay informed and vote this election season and help create the change you wish to see.