If current headlines are any indication, the 2022 midterm election will center on issues — from abortion and jobs to housing and climate change — that are on the minds of many young voters.
That’s why, according to UC Student Association lobbyist Amine El Moznine, it’s especially important that students get registered and vote.
“If a decision is being made on your behalf, you should be involved in it,” said Moznine, who leads UCSA’s UCweVote campaign and serves as its Federal Government Relations director in Washington D.C.
The California primary is fast approaching on June 7, so take five minutes now to register or check that your registration is current. It’s super quick and easy. But that one action can shape the future of the country and the world we live in.
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Register by May 23. Get started now on the UC Votes website.
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Here’s all you need to know to make your voice heard:
1. Don’t wait until the last minute. The last day to register online is May 23. Between finals and making summer plans, it’s a busy time of year for students, so do it now, ahead of the deadline.
2. By registering now, you’ll have time to receive important election information by mail. That includes the state’s voter guide on the candidates and issues. You’ll also receive an optional vote-by-mail ballot, which you can choose to use if that’s more convenient than going to the polls in person.
3. If you miss the May 23 deadline, California has an “in case of emergency, break glass” option. You can opt for same-day registration at eligible polling places and cast your vote by provisional ballot on June 7.
But if you take five minutes now and cross registering off your to-do list, you’ll already be set to make your voice heard.
UCSA lobbyist Amine El Monzine urges all eligible students to vote.
Tips for first-time student voters
1. Decide where you want to register. If you are living away from home while at school, you can choose to register at either your school or home address. Just make sure you choose an address where you can receive important election mail — including your vote-by-mail ballot.
2. Your polling place will be close to your registration address. You’ll be assigned a polling place near where you are registered, so if you don’t plan to vote by mail, make sure it’s somewhere you can get to on Election Day, June 7 (or a few days earlier in places that allow early voting.)
3. Registration addresses won’t affect your financial aid package. Voter registration doesn’t affect residency for tuition purposes, so scratch that off your list of concerns.
4. Is your home address outside of California? You may still choose to register at that address if you prefer to take part in elections in your home state. (Just be aware that you won’t be eligible to participate in the California primary.)
Learn about voting outside California.
5. Registered or voted before? Check that your address is current. Students move around a lot in the best of circumstances. If you’ve changed your address since the last election, you may need to change your registration.
6. Updating your voter registration is easy. Simply re-register with your current address so your mail-in ballot gets to you and your polling place reflects where you live.
Not sure if or where you’re registered? Check it here.
