Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College have been recognized by the state for their efforts to engage their student populations in the electoral process.
The two institutions participated in the California University and College Ballot Bowl, an informal competition where campuses employ initiatives designed to encourage civic engagement and voter registration.
Awards were recently announced in three categories: the highest number of students registered to vote, the greatest percentage of the student body registered to vote and the best Civic and Voter Empowerment Action Plan.
Institutions were broken down by systems: Cal State Universities, University of California institutions, California Community Colleges and institutions within the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
Cal State Fullerton scored the highest among Cal State universities for having the Best Civic and Voter Empowerment Action Plan.
State law requires all California colleges to develop such a plan.
Fullerton College had the highest percentage of its student body registered to vote among California Community Colleges.
As a Hispanic-serving institution, one focus of CSUF’s Civic and Voter Empowerment Action Plan for 2024-26 was to involve Latinx students, who make up more than 50% of the university’s 42,000 students, in the electoral process, said Annie Yea, senior director of government relations and advocacy to enhance civic engagement. She co-chairs CSUF’s Civic Engagement Working Group with Mary Becerra, director of Titan HEALTH in Student Affairs.
The plan was developed with input from multiple campus departments and outside entities, she said.
“What are the guidelines we can provide so that our students are more encouraged … students, faculty, and staff are more encouraged to not only register to vote, but really start engaging and learning about what is on their ballot, what are the issues that are out there that are really on the line,” Yea said. “We have 42,000 students and just imagine if all of them are registered to vote and they actually went out to vote, it could potentially change the outcome of an election, especially a local election.”
Outreach included digital ads, on-campus signage, on-campus events and providing easy access to voter registration forms.
One forum featured Mike Madrid, political consultant, founder of the Lincoln Project and author of “The Latino Century: How America’s Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy.” Madrid also delivered a lecture at nearby Fullerton College and signed copies of his book.
Fullerton College hosted two candidate forums on its campus, one for the Fullerton School District Board of Trustees and the second for North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees.
Events on campus included a Constitution Day/National Register to Vote Day, a Meet the Candidates forum and a discussion of the 10 California ballot measures.
Declared the overall champion of the Ballot Bowl – the campus considered the most well-rounded among the three categories – was UC Santa Barbara
The California Secretary of State Students Vote Project hosts the Ballot Bowl only during even-numbered years ahead of the general election.
More than 234 California colleges and Universities competed in the 2024 competition, said California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, whose office hosts the Ballot Bowl.
“I am proud of each higher education system and their efforts to register students to vote,” Weber said in a statement. “We received a record-breaking number of action plans this year. I look forward to continuing our office’s work toward creating a democracy inclusive of student voices.”
Related Articles
Education | California appeals Huntington Beach voter ID lawsuit Education | No fraud in Orange County elections, grand jury finds Education | 4 candidates are running in the special election for the 36th state Senate district Education | Santa Ana Councilmember David Penaloza launches 2026 campaign for state Assembly Education | Huntington Beach lawsuit seeking city switch to district elections moves forward Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Fullerton’s two colleges win bragging rights for supporting civic engagement, voter registration )
Also on site :
- Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series — The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and ‘Hot Ones’ Stir Up Buzz
- Ex-Bellingcat child porn researcher commits suicide after conviction for abusing own child – media
- Khloe Kardashian and Podcaster Totally Gush Over Each Other and Fans Are Swooning