The undergraduate student government is hosting an event every day this week to register students to vote and educate the community about the upcoming midterm election.
The week’s events include a debate between student group members, a forum between candidates and students and an informational session about the basics of the election.
By attending at least one of the events, students can get a priority wristband to attend the BruinsVote! Concert on Friday in Ackerman Grand Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. The lineup for the concert has not been announced yet.
The External Vice President’s office of the Undergraduate Students Association Council aims to register more than 5,000 students for the midterm election on Nov. 4.
The younger generation usually has a lower voter turnout. In the 2012 presidential election, about 32 percent of eligible voters aged 18 to 24 voted, according to the California Secretary of State.
Midterm elections usually have lower voter turnouts than presidential elections, and with few competitive races at the statewide level, the voter turnout may dip significantly this year compared to 2012. In the primary election in June, 18.4 percent of eligible voters in California voted.
To raise voter turnout, the office and the BruinsVote! committee tabled outside residential halls during move-in weekend in September. They also registered voters at Volunteer Day on Sept. 29 before students went to different sites for volunteer activities.
The last day to register is Oct. 20. In addition to registering to vote during USAC events on campus this week, students can also register online by visiting the California Secretary of State’s online voter registration site or Rock the Vote’s voter registration page.
Compiled by Jeong Park, Bruin senior staff.