CPP Encourages Voter Registration, Hosts Election-Related Events
With the 2024 General Election just weeks away, Cal Poly Pomona has made an effort to inspire students, staff, faculty and the surrounding community to be informed voters this November with a series of events and initiatives.
One key push has focused on voter registration. Associated Students, Inc.’s B.E.A.T. is hosting a voter registration table every Monday in University Park from noon to 1 p.m. through Nov. 4 to encourage individuals to register to vote as part of the Ballot Bowl, a statewide competition amongst all higher education institutions held by the California Secretary of State’s office.
As of Oct. 16, more than 370 members of the campus community had either registered to vote or updated their registration status. Monday, Oct. 21, is the last day to register to vote online, although same day registration is available for those who vote in-person on a provisional ballot.
While supplies last, CPP Dining locations across campus will distribute an exclusive ‘Vote Billy’ coffee sleeve encouraging the community to register to vote and visit the campus website for civic engagement and elections. The sleeves were made possible by the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Government and External Affairs.
In addition to these voter registration efforts, civic engagement education and involvement has also been a key theme this year.
The California Center for Ethics and Policy (CCEP) hosted the biennial Election Fair at the Bronco Student Center Oct. 10, featuring three speakers and interactions with representatives from political campaigns and groups both supporting and opposing measures/propositions found on the ballot.
Lacey Davidson, director for the Center for Ethics and assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Indianapolis, inspired students to leverage their social networks to get out the vote and impact elections. Elizabeth Muños, digital producer for ABC7 Los Angeles participated in a Q&A with Kristine Pascual, editor-in-chief of the Poly Post Bronco Guide magazine, about political polarization and election coverage within current digital media.
As the featured event, Jackie Wu, author of "On the Front Lines of Democracy: An Election Official’s Story of Protecting the Vote in 2020," offered insights into the challenges faced by election officials – a role in which she served during the 2020 General Election. Attendees had a chance to ask questions and talk with Wu at a free book signing following the discussion.
Students also had the opportunity to text and phone bank their friends and family to help them register, and Young Invincibles concluded the fair by offering education on elections and voting matters.
"Volunteering at the election fair taught me many things, especially in organizing events that promote political efficacy. I learned how crucial it is to create educational opportunities and how, even more importantly, to develop strategies that encourage participation and raise awareness about such events,” said Bahar Ahmadi, a civil engineering student.
The fair was created with partnerships across the university, including the Bronco Advocacy League, CPP Digital Humanities Consortium, Male Success Initiatives, History Club, Phi Alpha Theta, the Poly Post, the Society of Professional Journalists (CPP) and the Student Initiative for Justice.
It served as a strong reminder that elections remain a powerful avenue for students to effect change, if not inspire hope for a more representative future.
"Although real systematic change may feel frustratingly slow, students' votes impact the lives of the humans and living things we share Earth with. I really hope students are able to see themselves represented and heard by candidates more in future local and federal elections,” said Ahmadi.
For more information about the CCEP, contact Alex Madva, director and associate professor of philosophy at ammadva@cpp.edu.
On-Campus Voting Options
The university will provide a convenient voting option through an on-campus vote center and ballot drop off box.
The vote center will be held in the Bronco Student Center, Ursa Minor (Bldg. 35, Room 2135). Early voting will be available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning Nov. 2. On Election Day, Nov. 5, the vote center will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Additionally, the campus hosts an LA County ballot drop box outside of the Student Services Building, facing the parking lot. Completed vote-by-mail ballots may be deposited at this box until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
For more information about the on-campus vote center and drop off box, contact Michelle Viorato at meviorato@cpp.edu.