Go Vote
To help change the world from here, a good place to start is the voting booth! In partnership with the Leo T. McCarthy Center, GoUSF encourages you to participate in the following voting challenge and other events in preparation for the 2018 Midterm Elections.
| Events | location | date(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Voter Registration Day | Lo Schiavo, University Center, Lone Mountain | Sept. 25 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Go Vote Challenge | surveymonkey.com/r/Go_Vote | Oct. 1–Nov. 6 | N/A |
| Fighting for the Right to Vote, the Continuing Civil Rights Struggle | Getty Study | Oct. 4 | 6–7 p.m. |
| Go Vote: Ballots & Bites | Masonic & Turk to City Hall | Oct. 11 | 3–4 p.m. |
| Demystifying the Millennial Vote | Getty Study | Oct. 11 | 6–7 p.m. |
| Register to Vote Before Midterms | Lo Schiavo, University Center, Lone Mountain | Oct. 17–22 | 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. |
| Go Vote: Ballots & Bites | Masonic & Turk to City Hall | Oct. 18 | 3–4 p.m. |
| What’s On The Ballot? | Getty Study | Oct. 18 | 6–7 p.m. |
| Know Your Voting Rights Before Election Day | Getty Study | Oct. 25 | 6–7 p.m. |
| Midterm Election Day 2018 | Lo Schiavo, University Center, Lone Mountain | Nov. 6 | 9 a.m.–8 p.m. |
Event Descriptions
National Voter Registration Day
Tuesday, Sept. 25 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Lo Schiavo, University Center, Lone Mountain
Every year millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote. On the fourth Tuesday of September, USF Votes will hit the campus in a single day of coordinated field, technology and media efforts to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach eligible Dons voters who may not register otherwise. Join us at our tabling events throughout day the day to be an engaged voter.
Go Vote Challenge
Oct. 1–Nov. 6 | surveymonkey.com/r/Go_Vote
Check in after you vote and encourage your colleagues to do the same. The department with the most votes wins a prize!
Fighting for the Right to Vote, the Continuing Civil Rights Struggle
Thursday, Oct. 4 | 6–7 p.m. | Getty Study
In a year when voting amongst our diverse communities is vital in an upcoming election, we find that communities of color, women, and young people are still disenfranchised at the polls across the country. This modern day civil rights struggle is one that is more pressing and urgent more than ever and we want our USF community to be part of this conversation. Our country’s long fight for voting rights continues today and comes to the forefront this upcoming midterm elections. Join USFVotes for a conversation to discuss this modern day civil rights movement as we discuss the systematic attempts that prevent our historically underrepresented diverse populations from their right at the polls, connecting our past with our present and future.
Go Vote: Ballots & Bites
Thursday, Oct. 11 & 18 | 3–4 p.m. | Masonic & Turk to City Hall
Did you know you can vote early at City Hall? Why not avoid the crowds, get a little exercise and mingle with your friends as we walk down to the polls! Once you vote, we will have treats available to help rejuvenate you before heading back to campus. Voting booths are open all day from 10/9-11/6. Email Angie Vuong at amvuong@usfca.edu to RSVP.
Demystifying the Millennial Vote
Thursday, Oct. 11 | 6–7 p.m. | Getty Study
54.6% of USF students voted in the 2016 election. The national average was 50.4%. In a progressive city like San Francisco, on a diverse and vibrant campus as USF, you would think that students would be jumping at the chance to make their voices heard at the polls. Millennials are the largest voting bloc in US history and have a chance to make a difference in our halls of power. Why do Millennials and post-Millennials not feel like they are part of the democratic conversation? What about voting turns students off? Students on campus typically lean left of the political spectrum but a lack of willingness to get involved. Is it because the voting narrative has become too partisan? Is it the candidates and platforms that are not connected to the issues our generation care about? Join USFVotes for a conversation about demystifying the Millennial vote and see what you can do to change the message.
Register to Vote Before Midterms
Oct. 17–22 | 11:30 a.m–2 p.m. | Lo Schiavo, University Center, Lone Mountain
The last day to register in California is on October 22, and we need all hands on deck! Come stop by our tabling stations across campus during a week of action to register to vote, update your registration, request absentee ballots, or learn more about your candidates before the November 6 election.
What’s On The Ballot?
Thursday, Oct. 18 | 6–7 p.m. | Getty Study
State senator vs. US senator. School board members, supervisors, and representatives. Ballots, measures, and propositions. There are many local and statewide propositions appearing on the November 6 ballot and it’s important that students are informed about all the issues on the table. Join USFVotes on this day for a nonpartisan breakdown of everything that’s on the 2018 November ballot at the local, state and federal level. Knowledge is power and what can be more knowledgeable than educating yourself about policy issues that reflect what you care most about.
Know Your Voting Rights Before Election Day
Thursday, Oct. 25 | 6–7 p.m. | Getty Study
Why is your right to vote so important? We have the freedom to choose our leaders and engage on the issues that we care about. This means we can build power in our communities and create real change. Our right to vote gives us that power. But whether that right is protected varies from state to state (Yes, even today). Some states have laws that encourage voters to participate and make our voices heard, while others have laws that confuse and block voters, lowering voter turnout—and our impact. Join USFVotes for a conversation about voting rights and why this gives us the power to hold our elected leaders accountable and to represent our values and our vision for the future.
Midterm Election Day 2018
Tuesday, Nov. 6 | 9 a.m–8 p.m. | Lo Schiavo, University Center, Lone Mountain
The midterm elections are here! Join USFVotes for a full day of election momentum—from organizing your absentee ballot, to walking to your polling place, to watching the results trickle in well into the evening.