Fellow grads,
This is a reminder that if you are voting in California, the last day to register, online or by mail, to vote is October 19th!!! Here is the link to register to vote in California: https://registertovote.ca.gov/
You can also check your voter registration status there. If you still have not received your California vote-by-mail ballot, you can track its status at https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/
If you wish to do so, you may also register in person to vote on the day of the election, November 3rd.
Absentee ballot deadlines:
- Request for absentee ballot: October 27th
- Return ballot by mail: Postmarked by November 3rd
- Return in person: November 3rd by 8:00 pm
If you are NOT registered to vote in California and want to know more about the state you are registered to vote in, or want to know more about voting in California, here is a link that can guide you: https://www.betterknowaballot.com/
If you still have questions regarding voting in California, there are many resources listed on the California Secretary of State’s website: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/vote-mail
For more information regarding the propositions on this year’s California ballot, here are several links explaining them:
- https://calmatters.org/election-2020-guide/
- https://ballotpedia.org/California_2020_ballot_propositions
- https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/
To know the official stances of the UC Graduate and Professional Council on the California propositions, please visit this link: https://www.ucgpc.org/campaign2020
The UCGPC’s endorsements page will be updated every other day so keep an eye out. Please keep in mind that these are not UC Merced GSA’s opinions and will introduce some bias.
If you are voting in Merced County, here is the City of Merced’s listing of the candidates for the positions of mayor, Merced City Council Member District 1, Merced City Council Member District 3, and Merced City Council Member District 5: https://www.cityofmerced.org/departments/city-council/election-voter-inf...
For a list of all candidates running in Merced County, please look here: https://www.co.merced.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/24686/Candidate-List
UC Merced’s Community Engagement Center has been having a series “Candidates and Conversations” where candidates running to represent Merced are interviewed. All of the conversations are recorded and posted online. Please check them out: https://cec.ucmerced.edu/current-events/candidate-conversations
For information on drop box centers for your ballot, please visit https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place?utm_campaign=buffer&utm_c... enter your address to find the closest one near you. You may also visit your county elections office. Merced County’s elections office is located at 2222 M Street Merced, CA 95340. Here is their website: https://www.co.merced.ca.us/2379/Elections
A list of drop off locations in Merced County can also be found here: https://www.co.merced.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/25775/Vote-Center-Locati...
If you are not eligible to vote in the US, fear not! There are several other ways for you to be stay involved and have a voice. You can be engaged through protests, calling government officials, encouraging others to vote, posting on social media, and much more!
Voting is extremely important and is one of your rights as an American citizen. It is important to exercise your rights so please make sure you are informed and up-to date with this year’s election!
Best,
The Graduate Student Association
