By Dixie Reid
Sacramento State's continued commitment to student voter engagement, which has earned it national recognition, accelerates in the weeks before the Nov. 3 general election.
A variety of virtual events designed to help students and the community learn more about the issues and candidates on the ballot includes two high-profile Zoom events this week:
- 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15: “The Latinx Vote: Will it be the ‘X’ Factor in November?” Sponsored by the Center for California Studies. Panelists include Mike Madrid, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, and Kristina Flores Victor, assistant professor of Political Science. Moderating is West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, a professor of Public Policy and Administration and the Hazel Cramer Endowed Chair at Sacramento State. Register.
- 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16: “She Votes, She Leads: Women and the 2020 Election.” Congresswoman Doris Matsui headlines a panel that will also include Nancy Bui-Thompson, vice president of SMUD’s board of directors, and San Juan Unified School District Board Members Paula Villescaz and Jessie Ryan to talk about the hurdles women face to find equal political representation. Presented by the Women’s Resource Center. Join on Zoom.
Several other on-campus organizations will hold voter information and engagement events:
Project for an Informed Electorate
Two Zoom webinars by Sacramento State’s Project for an Informed Electorate (PIE) are aimed at helping voters – particularly students voting for the first time – navigate the election:
- 5 p.m. today, Oct. 13: An explainer on California state initiatives, held in partnership with the state Legislative Analyst’s Office and Sacramento Public Library.
- 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28: “Election Preview: Making Sense of an Election Like No Other.” Professor of Political Science and PIE Director Kim Nalder and other Sac State faculty explore such topics as accuracy of polls, presidential rhetoric, presidential campaign strategies with Latinx voters, and political misinformation. Sign up for the PIE webinars.
Associated Students Inc.
As befits a campus recognized for its student voter engagement, student organizations are sponsoring events:
- 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23: “ASI Presidents Reflect: The Power of Students Government in College & Life,” featuring Associated Students Inc. President Noah Marty and other former student leaders. Sponsored by the College Assistance Migrant Program.
- 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24: ASI and the Residence Hall Association will partner for a virtual Vote Early Party, with DJ, games and prizes.
Details on these and many other student events can be found on the Hornets Vote. Hornets Count campus-wide calendar.