`Runners, let your voice be heard during election season

ASI offers virtual programming and resources

Por California State University, Bakersfield

23 de September de 2020

Election season is quickly approaching, and with that comes great responsibility.

For first-time voters, the process can seem intimidating. Even if you’re used to the process, it can feel like a daunting task to some.

This week, the Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) is hosting a variety of virtual programming to help students and the campus community to learn about voting before November 3.

`Runners, let your voice be heard during election season

“I would like to encourage our CSUB `Runner family to register to vote! The upcoming election, along with all other elections to follow, are extremely important and it is vital that we make our voices heard,” said Vanessa Chicaiza, ASI president. “Use your voice to ensure that the future you want for yourself, your family, and future generations, is set into motion; in order for this to happen, it requires action on my behalf, on your behalf... on all of our behalves.”

The student group is participating in the statewide effort to register students to vote in the upcoming elections through the Collegiate Ballot Bowl.

“We are encouraging all students, faculty, and staff to use the register to vote link in myCSUB so that CSUB gets credit for the registrations; we are in a competition with all the schools in California,” said Ilaria Pesco, assistant vice president for student success/student affairs and the executive director of ASI.

“In addition, we are also encouraging folks to check their registration to make sure that they have your right address to mail the ballot; ballots will start to be mailed the week of October 5th,” added Pesco.

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, National Voter Registration Day, there was a “Zoomin’ with our Legislators event” which gave students a chance to engage with legislators from the local, state and federal level regarding civic involvement.

The education continues on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from Noon to 1 p.m., with a talk entitled, “More than just voting: Engaging with communities of color.” The webinar will feature the executive director of the Black and Brown Healing Project.

Meeting link: https://csub.zoom.us/s/2101151467

Zoom ID: 919 8789 4125

Password: 089549

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights will join CSUB’s efforts for this year’s voting endeavors with a webinar talk about the importance of the immigrant voice with “Strength in Numbers: Kern County’s Farmworker Movement and the Immigrant Vote” on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Meeting link: https://csub.zoom.us/s/2101151467

Zoom ID: 210 115 1467

Finally, rounding out the week on Friday, Sept. 25 is an event called “Freedom Fry-Day Pickup.” The campus community can enter to win single and family burger and fry meals. The food giveaway is open until Wednesday.

Students can enter by registering to vote on myCSUB or checking their registration. They are then invited to upload the screenshot by today, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m., in order to win.

Chicaiza said that this year, it’s more important than ever to vote and represent your population, beliefs and values.

“Change cannot happen if we do not use the one tool that changes everything, our voices. I encourage everyone reading my words to attend the events and utilize the resources made available by ASI and CSUB,” said Chicaiza.

Registration to vote in the November election is open until October 19.

For more information about these events, follow @csub_asi on Instagram! For more information about voting and registering, visit https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote.