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Cal Poly Election Guide
Important Dates
Election Day - November 5th, 2024
Primary Election Day- March 5, 2024
Voter Registration Deadline - October 21st, 2024
National Voter Registration Day - September 17, 2024
California University and College Ballot Bowl: August 12 - November 5, 2024
Events
Upcoming
The Pros and Cons of the California Propositions for 2024
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Oct 08, 2024, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Annually, California leads the nation in the number of propositions offered to its voters for a decision. The bulky pamphlet sent to residents offers a challenge to even the most seasoned citizen. In preparation for the close examination of the props, a short history of citizen legislation in California shall be shared as will a comparison and contrast of the different type of propositions available in the state. Ed Cabrera will lead participants in a close examination of each proposition. Both sides of issues will be presented as will be their identified respective supporters. When available, the money involved in the individual battles and the repercussions of any decisions shall also be shared.
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Rock the Vote: California Props 101
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Oct 09, 2024, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Men and Masculinities Center (University Union Room 209) 062-209
Please come hang with the Pride & Men and Masculinities centers for a fun time playing kahoot and talking about the upcoming California Propositions for folk when it comes to voting season. We will be talking about what would happen if you choose yes or no on each propositions.
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Past Events
Sept 24, 2024, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Cambria Library
Sept 25, 2024, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
San Luis Obispo Library
The Latino Voter Engagement Project is a new collaboration between Cal Poly Communication Studies faculty members, the SLO County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, the SLO County League of Women Voters, and other community groups to increase Latino voter engagement and access to civic services by providing critical information and necessary resources on voting rights and other civic services.
ACPA Mid Level Morsels - Election Relation Post Traumatic Stress
Sept 18, 2024,11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual
As we continue a season that can be chaotic (managing transition, a presidential election, and more!), MLCOP’s theme for this season is to provide a “Calm in the Storm.” Please join us for our “Election-Related Post-Traumatic Stress (Evidence from the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election)” on September 18 from 11 am to noon CST. Please fill out the interest form at https://tinyurl.com/MidLevelMorselCalm2 to receive more information.
Election and Voting Discussion
Sept 12, 2024, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
SLO Public Library
OUDI in partnership with the City of SLO hosted a roundtable discussion on voting and the upcoming election. Focuses were on inequality within voting and facilitating community participation in voting.
Sept 18, 2024
Video
Take a comprehensive look at the ten propositions on California’s 2024 General Election Ballot. Presented by the Pros and Cons Committee of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.
Ways to Vote
Every active, registered voter in California will be mailed a ballot for the November 5th, 2024 General Election at the address provided at time of registration.
Vote By Mail
Return ballot by mail - must be postmarked on or before November 5th, 2024, and must be received by your county elections office no later than November 12th, 2024
Return ballot in person - to your county elections office or any polling or ballot drop-off location in California by 8:00 p.m. on November 5th, 2024.
Vote Early in Person
County elections officials offer early voting at their offices, and may counties offer early voting at additional locations prior to Election Day.
The early election dates and locations for the 2024 election cycle have not been announced yet. Once announced, the early voting locations, dates, and times can be found at CAEarlyVoting.sos.ca.gov or contact your county elections office.
County contact information can be found by visiting the Secretary of State's website at: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices
Vote at the Polls on Election Day
County elections officials offer early voting at their offices, and may counties offer early voting at additional locations prior to Election Day.
The early election dates and locations for the 2024 election cycle have not been announced yet. Once announced, the early voting locations, dates, and times can be found at CAEarlyVoting.sos.ca.gov or contact your county elections office.
County contact information can be found by visiting the Secretary of State's website at: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices
Absentee Voting & Voting by Mail
Absentee voting and vote-by-mail allow voting before Election Day by mail or drop-off for any registered voter. Out of state students can utilize this resource to assure that they get to cast their vote.
States allow voters who cannot or do not want to vote in person to cast mail-in or drop off ballots through absentee voting or vote-by-mail programs. Absentee and mail-in ballots can be cast for both primary and general elections.
Absentee voting
Although most states have absentee voting, deadlines and rules on who can take part vary. Some states require an excuse to vote absentee. Others do not. In most states, you must request an absentee ballot to vote in each election. But in some states, you may qualify to sign up to receive absentee ballots for every election. Learn if your state offers permanent absentee voting.
Vote-by-mail
Instead of absentee voting programs, some states offer vote-by-mail (also known as all-mail) programs. They automatically send ballots to all registered voters in the state before Election Day. See which states offer vote-by-mail programs.
How to vote absentee or by mail as an out-of-state students
- Visit Can I Vote and choose your state from the dropdown menu. It will take you right to your state's absentee voting or vote-by-mail page.
- Know your state’s absentee and vote-by-mail ballot deadline. Make sure you follow your state’s deadlines for requesting and returning your ballot. See your state’s voting deadlines.
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Know your options for returning your absentee or vote-by-mail ballot. Check with your state or local election office to learn about other ways to return your ballot besides postal mail.
Resources
National Association of Secretaries of State Absentee & Early Voting
[Information adapted from USA.gov & vote.gov websites]
A voter may apply to vote by mail at any time until after the seventh day prior to an election and a vote by mail voter may vote in person at the office of the county elections official or at a satellite location established by the county elections official on or before the day of the election (pursuant to Chapter 1 of Division 3 of the Elections Code).
[Information adapted from California Secretary of State website]
Voter Registration
The deadline to register to vote for any election is 15 days before Election Day. For the 2024 election cycle, the voter registration deadline is October 21st, 2024.
You can apply to register to vote by filling out an online application on the Secretary of State's website, or pick up a paper voter registration application at your county elections office, library, DMV or post office. The paper application must be postmarked or hand-delivered to your county elections office at least 15 days before the election, on or before October 21st, 2024.
To find out if you are currently registered to vote, visit Check Status of Your Voter Registration.
Per the Secretary of State's website, to register to vote, you must be:
- A United States citizen and a resident of California (for information on voters in the military or overseas, please see Military and Overseas Voters),
- 18 years old or older on Election Day,
- Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony (for more information, please see Voting Rights Restored: Persons with a Prior Felony Conviction), and
- Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (for more information, please see Voting Rights: Persons Subject to Conservatorship).
In elections conducted by your county elections official, you can “conditionally” register and vote at your county elections office after the 15-day voter registration deadline. For more information please go to Same Day Voter Registration.
For more information about the elections and registration, please consult:
San Luis Obispo County Elections and Voting Information
Secretary of State Online Voter Registration
Secretary of State Election Information
Secretary of State Voter Registration Status Tool
The civic and election information provided applies to the county where Cal Poly is located. Election information varies by county. You can check the Secretary of State website containing the voter registration status tool to find election information for the county where your voter registration is active.
[Information adapted from California Secretary of State website]
Self Care for Managing Election Stress
Prioritizing self-care is an important step in our daily lives, especially in times of distress. In the wake of heightened emotions and concerning incidents throughout the country and on our campus, here are a few tips for self-care to get you to through the next upcoming days.
UNPLUG.Limit your consumption of media, particularly of the 24-hour news cycle of social media variety. Stay informed, of course, but instead of constantly scrolling your newsfeed, try one of these other options.
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BE PRESENT.It is important to be aware of and acknowledge our thoughts and feelings. Pay attention with non-judgmental curiosity, and give yourself permission to feel the way you do. Although distraction can be useful, unaddressed intense emotion can also have negative impacts. |
UNPLUG.Limit your consumption of media, particularly of the 24-hour news cycle of social media variety. Stay informed, of course, but instead of constantly scrolling your newsfeed, try one of these other options. |
CONNECT.Engage with supportive friends and allies. Talk about it if you need to, but also communicate your boundaries when needed. Not everyone will share your perspective. Give yourself permission to walk away from a conversation that is feeling uncomfortable, heated or too stressful. Reach out to a mental health professional such as those at Counseling Services or another trusted individual. |
REPLENISH.Get back to self-care, and focus on restoring yourself. Get enough rest. Eat well. Drink plenty of water and fluids. Move daily… walking, stretching, breathing are great ways to replenish. |
DO SOMETHING.Channel what you are feeling into something that is meaningful and purposeful to you. Get informed and be proactive around issues that matter to you. Find ways to engage with your community through volunteering and advocacy. |
It’s easy to feel alone or isolated during these times, but remember there are resources throughout campus with the sole purpose of helping you find your way. Below are links to a few resources and pages that may be helpful during these turbulent times or for any other problems you may be facing.
Connections
Free Speech
Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of a democratic society and is essential to the educational process. Universities have a special obligation not only to tolerate but also to encourage and support the free expression of ideas, values, and opinions, even where they may be unpopular or controversial.
Cal Poly accepts and embraces this obligation, recognizing that such expression may take a variety of forms, such as speeches, signs, written materials, public assemblies, parades, demonstrations and artistic representation.
Cal Poly will ensure that individuals and groups have wide latitude to lawfully exercise the right of free expression and that their constitutionally protected right to free expression is not abridged. CSU Policies and Cal Poly Policies will be enforced to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the University community while protecting lawful free expression activities.
For more information, please visit the Dean of Students Free Speech webpage.
Campus Partners
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Office of the Dean of Students |
Report Bias
Statement on Commitment to Community
Cal Poly is committed to maintaining a broad and inclusive community that values diversity and fosters tolerance and mutual respect, in which all members embrace core values of academic excellence, open inquiry, free expression, and diversity. Membership in the Cal Poly community is consistent with the highest principles of shared governance, social and environmental responsibility, engagement, and integrity. We embrace and encourage our community differences in age, disability, race or ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran or military status, and other characteristics that make our community unique. All community members have the right to participate fully in Cal Poly’s programs and activities free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation (bias).
How to Report
Anyone who has knowledge of or has experienced a bias incident, on or off campus, involving Cal Poly students, faculty and/or staff, may report the incident in a variety of ways.
