The Cal State LA Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) partnered with the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office in hosting a nonpartisan voter registration event on the main campus walkway to promote National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The event educated students on the upcoming general election on Nov. 5 and helped register dozens of students, many of whom were first-time voters.
Under a large white tent, ASI and the LA City Clerk’s office had tables featuring pamphlets and other information regarding how to vote. Staffers answered questions about the voting process and helped new voters register. They also passed out free tote bags, flasks, and other rewards to students who registered to vote.
QR codes directing students to online registration forms were scattered throughout the event. The codes were present on the ASI and clerk office’s tables, on floor decals on the main walkway, and on volunteers’ shirts.
Volunteers working the event were trained to present information in a nonpartisan manner, according to ASI Vice President of External Affairs and Advancement Arwa Hammad.
“A lot of planning goes into making sure we get all the resources and the proper background training before we enter and have students register to vote,” said Hammad.
According to Hammad, a polling center in the Los Angeles room on the third floor of the University Student Union will open on Nov. 5 and allow students and faculty to cast their votes on campus.
This event was one of ten events hosted by the clerk’s office across Los Angeles that day, said LA City Clerk Election Division spokesperson Natalie Somboonkit. Somboonkit went on to discuss the purposes of these events.
“As long as you register to vote and walk away knowing that there is an important election coming up on November 5, we’re happy with that,” said Somboonkit.
Hammad stressed the importance of students voting by pointing out the school’s high minority population.
“I think voting is a really important way to make sure your voice is heard, especially considering our demographic, where we have a lot of low-income, first-generation students,” said Hammad.
According to school statistics from Fall 2023, 57.1% of Cal State LA students identified as first-generation. One of these students was fourth-year criminology major Venicia Razo. Razo said that her main reason for voting was a desire to turn her beliefs into action.
I just didn’t say what I said … I did do my part, and I did vote,” said Razo.
Most students were positive about their experiences at the event. First-year pre-music major Angel Montes said he learned that the voter registration process was easier than anticipated.
“I learned that I didn’t need that much information. I would just need either an ID or a Social Security number,” said Montes. “I also learned the dates of when I should expect my voter ballot.”
ASI plans to host future civic engagement events leading up to the Nov. 5 election, Hammad said. On Oct. 10, ASI will host an event titled “Breaking Down Barriers: Burritos and Ballot Measures.” This event will be co hosted with Cal State LA’s Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs. It will allow students to learn about ballot propositions by featuring speakers from the League of Women Voters.
This article was first published in the September 26 print edition of the University Times.
