ASI helps students understand how and where to vote on campus – Long Beach Current

Long Beach State students listen to a presentation on voting held by the Associated Student Inc. on October 28 in preparation for the upcoming election. Photo credit: Troy Lippman

As the upcoming election approached, students rallied to learn more about their voting rights on The University’s Student Association on 28 Oct.

Associated Students Inc. The Judiciary Branch hosted the event, including several associate panelists who provided attendees with information on voter rights.

Topics covered included access to polling stations and time off work. Students also asked panelists questions regarding understanding of voter rights.

One question that was asked was how to involve students in the voting process. The panelists informed the participants about it ASI Lobby Corps had held presentations on campus over the past month to educate students about how issues such as policies and proposals affect students and why it is important to have the student voice heard through voting. The lobby group has also held events to discuss issues including the outcome of the vote.

Early voting and mail-in ballots were also discussed at the event, and how it may be more convenient for some people to vote at home by mail rather than going in person to vote.

Katherine Garcia-Guerrero, a sophomore majoring in political science and international studies, learned more about what she can do as an active voter and said the meeting was very beneficial to her.

“Something I learned was that you can request that your job give you paid time off so that you are able to vote, which I found helpful,” Garcia-Guerrero said. “I also learned how you are able to track your voice.”

Third-year kinesiology major, Dollin Ha said he learned about many voice resources he was unaware of before the event.

“One thing I learned was to get two hours of paid time off to vote, so that was cool, and also about other resources I can use to vote,” Ha said.

Student voters should choose a voting method that best suits them and their preferences. To be registered to vote in the state of California, you must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old. CCalifornia is a same-day voter registration state, but people are encouraged to register before voting at vote.ca.gov.

Long Beach State will have a voting center on campus at the Walter Pyramid starting Nov. 2, which will allow students to drop off their ballots on campus. It will be open from 10.00 to 19.00 in the days before the election and from 7.00 to 20.00 on election day.

Student voters who work can request paid time off from their employer two days before the election, giving them two hours to vote on Election Day.