For those wondering about voter registration for the upcoming general election on Nov. 6, there is still time to do so.
Traditional voter registration forms are available at all county elections offices, libraries, Department of Motor Vehicles, and post offices.
Students on campus can pick up voter registration forms in the foyer of Woody Hall.
Forms must be completely filled out and post-marked or hand-delivered to county elections offices at least 15 days prior to election day.
For those seeking a more convenient approach, there is also an online registration process that was launched in September.
The new system will hopefully allow voters to be added to the voter roll much more quickly and gives users the choice of registering in another language, such as Spanish.
Anyone planning to register online will need a California driver’s license or identification card number along with their social security number and date of birth.
“For students, the world is at stake,” said Richard Gelm, chair of history and political science department. “This election will determine the future of Pell Grants, student loans and education in general.”
Gelm’s method of voting is the permanent vote-by-mail process, in which voters automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot each election.
“I tend to show up on election day, as part of the tradition,” said Jason Niedleman, professor of political science.
To qualify as a voter in California, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, be a resident of the state, be 18 years or older by election day and not be facing a felony conviction.
Past voters must re-register to vote if they have changed their name, moved to a new permanent residence, or if their political party choice has changed since the last election.
All registrations must be postmarked or submitted online no later than midnight on Oct. 22.
For more information visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm.
–Robert Penalber
