Election season is here and Sonoma State is making it easier than ever for everyone on campus and in our community to participate this November! Whether you prefer to vote by mail or to vote in person, we’ve got convenient options right here on campus. A Ballot Drop box is located near the flagpole at the front entrance of SSU. This option is available 24/7 and you can ensure you are securely dropping off your ballot. Feel free to drop off your ballot any time until 8pm on November 5, 2024.
If you prefer to vote in person, SSU also has a polling location available in Tuscany Village’s Casentino Room. County polling staff will be present to assist with ballot drop offs and help guide you through the in-person voting process. This polling location will be open from October 29th to November 5th, and will be open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and will have extended hours on Election day (November 5th) from 7am to 8pm.
To register to vote or check your registration status and registration deadlines, visit Can I Vote or the California Secretary of State's website. In case you miss the standard (online) deadline, same day voter registration will be available at polling locations with provisional ballots as well. For those who are planning on voting by mail make sure you request your mail in ballot ahead of time and return it by November 5th.
[Related: Voices of Change: Latinx Leaders Championing Equity and Representation in Sonoma County]
This year's election cycle feels especially important. With the tensions high between the Harris and the Trump campaign, the drive for the youth vote has never been stronger. The nation is increasingly divided on how it should be governed, making the need for change more urgent than ever. As these two campaigns pull further apart ideologically, the urgency for the younger generations to step up and vote has never been clearer. Beyond the weight of the presidential election, young voters will have a say on several ballot measures that span issues that are pivotal to our own futures. These topics are pressing, focusing on critical issues from marriage rights, to affordable housing and potentially raising the minimum wage – all factors that directly impact many of our own lives. This election is a unique opportunity for young people to shape the future of our country.
[Related: SSU Students Help to Break National Voting Records in 2020]
Tuscany Village
Voting is one of the most powerful ways to create change. By casting your vote this November, you are having a direct say in issues that impact students and will shape our futures far past graduation. Your voice matters, and by showing up at the polls or dropping off your ballot, you’re making sure that your concerns and values are heard. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this change—your vote can make a difference!