Efforts to get more people registered to vote ramped up across the Bay Area on National Voter Registration Day, with a strong focus on encouraging young and marginalized communities to participate in the democratic process.
The San Jose State University campus was bustling Tuesday thanks to the SJSU Votes Festival.
“We have 40 campus and community partners out here talking to people about civic engagement, voting, voting rights, and the Constitution,” said Dr. Mary Currin-Percival, director of the SJSU Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement.
A significant part of the effort is being led by students themselves, like SJSU senior Maleek Diaz.
“Young people aren’t voting in the numbers they need to,” said Diaz. “We have a lot of issues on the ballots, and they’re going to continue to affect young people for years to come.”
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According to U.S. Census data, the 18 to 24-year-old demographic has historically had the lowest voter turnout in California, particularly in the 2022 election. Still, experts say there is significant potential for change in the upcoming election.