Red or Blue, it's Up to You on Election Day!
No matter your party preference or whether you're an independent, getting involved in the political process is your civic duty and your Constitutional right; don't give that up. In the last presidential election, more than half of college students did not vote. An estimated 48 percent of students voted compared to more than 70 percent of senior citizens -- a serious imbalance that ultimately means less attention to the needs of students and their colleges.
Get voter information right when you need it; add the Miramar College Voter Guide to your Canvas dashboard by clicking here. Credit to Professor Bochicchio for creating and maintaining the Voter Information Canvas Page.
Even when if feels like it doesn't, your voice matters. So, make sure you register to vote and make a plan for Election Day!
For first-time and re-registrants.
For CA residents aged 16 or 17 years old only.
Can't remember if you registered? Check your status here.
How do I register to vote?
To register, you'll need to complete a Voter Registration Form. You can register online or using a paper form. There are many ways to get the form:
- Pick up a form in-person from a public, governmental office such as any public library, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or from a U.S. Post Office location.
- Download a form from the San Diego County Reigistrar of Voters.
- Call 1-800-345-VOTE to request a form be mailed to you.
- Online from the California Secretary of State. The form will be printed and mailed to you for your signature. After you verify that the information is correct, the form must be signed and mailed to your county election official for your registration to be processed.
Everyone should have access to the ballot! If you are disabled and need resources for voters with disabilities.
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The Fine Print: You must re-register to vote any time you have a change of address, change of name, or when you change your political party affiliation. Anyone falsifying information on the Voter Registration Application Form can be fined or imprisoned, or deported or refused entry into the United States.
What do I need to register?
To register online you will need:
- Your California driver license or California identification card number,
- The last four digits of your social security number, and
- Your date of birth.
Your information will be provided to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to retrieve a copy of your DMV signature. If you do not have a California driver license or California identification card, you can still apply to register to vote; however, you will need to take additional steps to complete your voter registration.
Election Day
Election Day in the United States is the annual day for general elections of federal public officials. It is statutorily set by the U.S. government as "the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November," i.e., the Tuesday that occurs within November 2 to November 8.
In order to vote in California, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen,
- Be a resident of California,
- Not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction,
- Be at least 18 years of age on the date of the next election (a person may register to vote at age 17 if he or she will be 18 on or before the next election), and
- Not have been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent.
Legal residents of California who are not U.S. citizens, and undocumented California residents are not eligible to register or vote. Convicted felons currently serving a prison term or on parole are not eligible to register or vote.
Your identity must be verified before your application is complete. Preferred identification is your Social Security number, California driver's license, or State ID card. If you do not have any of these forms of identification, you may still apply using an alternate form of identification.
Where is my polling place?
San Diego Miramar College is a designated polling place. Your polling place will be printed on the county voter information guide you receive from your county elections official prior to an election. You may also contact your local county elections office for polling place information. If you live in a county that is conducting elections under the California Voter's Choice Act, please visit that web page for more information.
We made the news in 2022! https://fox5sandiego.com/election/san-diego-colleges-universities-encouraging-students-to-voice-their-choice/
What hours are polling place locations open?
All polling place locations are open on Election Day—which is Tuesday, November 5, 2024—from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you live in a county that is conducting elections under the California Voter's Choice Act, please visit that web page for more information.
How do I cast my vote?
Vote-By-Mail Now Permanent, But You Still Have In-Person Options! The Legislature passed AB 37 in 2021, which ensures every active registered voter will be sent a vote-by-mail ballot with the option to return their ballot by mail, in person, or at a secure drop box. Whichever option you choose, remember to sign and seal your ballot before you return it!
More Days, More Ways to Vote in Voter’s Choice Act Counties! There are now 27 Voter’s Choice Act counties (VCA). For more information, visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voters-choice-act. San Diego County is a VCA county!
Make A Plan To Vote! Making a plan makes it more likely you will vote. Will you return your ballot by mail? Drop it at a drop box? Or vote in person at a neighborhood polling place or vote center? Research your options and make a plan today!
Track your vote-by-mail ballot by signing up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to receive text, email, or voice status alerts.
Honor Veterans. Vote.
The Honor Veterans. Vote. program provides California citizens the opportunity to pay tribute and dedicate their vote to a veteran or active duty service member.
By submitting your dedication, you can choose to receive a certificate or a lapel pin to proudly display appreciation for your honored veteran or active duty service member. You can also choose to have an email notification sent to the veteran/service member you are honoring, notifying them of your tribute.
You may honor more than one veteran/service member, but only one lapel pin will be issued per voter. We encourage you to show your appreciation for our service members by wearing the lapel pin when you vote.
For additional information and resources on the Honor Veterans. Vote. program, visit www.sos.ca.gov/honor-vets/honor-vets-resources.
Reporting
San Diego Miramar College is committed to advancing civic engagement among our students and increasing the number of students who register to vote and submit ballots to vote in primary, special, and general elections. San Diego Miramar College is equally committed to fulfilling the requirements of AB 963 and becoming a best-practice institution for civic engagement and voter participation. To that end, we have identified a Civic and Voter Empowerment Coordinator and formed an Action Plan Committee comprised of faculty, students, and administrators. We have also produced a Civic and Voter Empowerment Action Plan for 2024 and have had several voter registration activities and get out the vote drives during both spring for the special and primary elections, and the fall general election. The report was submitted to the Secretary of State’s office on October 1, 2024. Our next report will be submitted in October, 2026.
Read the report by clicking the following hyperlink: https://sdmiramar.edu/sites/default/files/2024-10/san_diego_miramar_college_civic_engagement_and_empowerment_plan_2024.pdf
Miramar College Civic and Voter Engagement and Empowerment Plan 2022.