Rock the Vote mobilizes students ahead of midterm elections
The student-led campaign returns to educate students about the current election and civic engagement.
Throughout the fall, (A.S.) has connected students with voter registration resources, educational outreach and peer-to-peer outreach through Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»â€™s annual (RTV) initiative.
The nonpartisan campaign led by the A.S. vice president of external relations aims to increase voter registration and promote civic engagement ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections.
In California, early voting is underway. Although the state’s online voter registration deadline passed Oct. 19, eligible San Diegans can still participate in the upcoming election through conditional voter registration by visiting the or any in the county through Election Day.
RTV’s ongoing campaign continues as universities nationwide are also working to sustain student voter registration. According to the University’s National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE), a nonpartisan research project at Tufts University, declined by nearly 10 percentage points, from 39.1% in the 2018 midterm election to 30.6% in 2024.
“There is a common misconception that midterm elections are not as important as federal or presidential elections due to the lower volume of news coverage,” said Scarlett Walker, A.S. vice president of external relations. “However, midterm elections help shape policies at the state and local level, and even in Congress that impact our daily lives. Every vote is critical in these upcoming midterms and ensures that individuals are making their voices heard.”
Expanding outreach
RTV tabling kicked off its fall campaign on National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 15, and has continued connecting with students on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union and near the Aztec Recreation Center Courtyard with an ultimate goal in mind — getting students registered to vote.
Through RTV events such as “Register and Refresh," which took place on Oct. 7 and Oct. 19, students had the opportunity to ask voting-related questions, access registration resources and enjoy treats.
“Campus partnerships are essential to reaching as many students and Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» community members as possible,” said Sam Ramtin, A.S. government affairs coordinator and staff advisor to the Rock the Vote campaign. “Our ongoing collaborations with Athletics, the Residential Education Office, various identity centers, the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» Ambassadors, college councils and registered student organizations have helped us reach students across diverse areas of campus.”
Expanding RTV’s Civic Engagement Officer program has also been a priority for the academic year. Civic engagement officers are student volunteers who carry out most of the campaign’s peer-to-peer outreach, from staffing tabling shifts and campus events to giving presentations in classrooms and residence halls.
Officers are trained on voter registration information and RTV’s nonpartisan approach, and they work alongside a student leadership team that coordinates voter education, outreach to campus partners and student organizations and voter registration. This fall, the program has continued to grow, nearly doubling the size of the RTV team compared to last year.
On the ballot
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters will decide a variety of federal, state and local affairs, including races for Congress, governor and other statewide offices.
A total of 14 California state ballot propositions address a wide range of issues, such as housing affordability, healthcare and public education funding, homebuying assistance programs, environmental review processes and more. Individuals can review the full list of measures through the .
For RTV leadership, helping students access information and encouraging student voter turnout rates are part of a broader strategy toward empowering civic engagement.
“Our goal at Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» is to build a culture of civic engagement throughout campus through an inclusive and welcoming environment,” said Diana Lara, Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» civic engagement coordinator and associate director of government and community relations. “Campaigns such as Rock the Vote are part of the university’s broader effort to promote civic learning so that students feel empowered to participate beyond a single election.”
Anyone can check their registration status by visiting . Out-of-state students planning to vote in California should confirm their eligibility and status, and those voting from home should review their respective state deadlines and requirements.
On Election Day, RTV will host “Balancing Midterms: Elections & Exams,” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Aztec Recreation Center Courtyard. Students can grab a snack, decompress and access information about voting on campus or returning a completed ballot. RTV team members will also spread the word and direct people to the on-campus polling site.
The designated on-campus polling site is the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Individuals can also drop off a completed vote-by-mail ballot at any official ballot drop box or vote center in San Diego County through 8 p.m. on Election Day, with no stamp required.
“Civic engagement is central to the educational experience at Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»,” said Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» President Adela de la Torre. “When our students stay informed, engage in thoughtful dialogue and participate in our democracy, they are preparing not only to make their voices heard, but also to lead with purpose and strengthen their communities.”
