Bill seeks to mend voter registration

With elections coming up later this year, voters around the country are tuning in to listen to the stances of presidential candidates on trending issues. Some candidates, such as Bernie Sanders, try to draw in younger voters such as college students to vote for them, but many do not vote at all, or register. Students from University of California, Berkeley have drafted a state legislation that would allow students enrolling in classes in the University of California’s, California State Universities, and California community college systems to register to vote in elections at the same time. According to the Los Angeles Times, in the 2014 statewide general election, only 8.2 percent of California’s eligible 18 to 24-year-olds voted. Though many young adults do not vote or register, enabling them to have the opportunity to register to vote while as they transition into college will ensure elections that take into account the ideas of more people.

“We talk about voting and student rights a lot in our Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH) class, and I have given it some thought. I think being able to register to vote while registering for college classes is a great idea,” junior Angelica Yoon said. “The thing is, a lot of students have no idea what goes on in politics, so having them register to vote would spark their interest in politics which would ensure that more of our youth voted for important elections such as the presidential election.”

According to the California Voter Foundation (CVF), 40 percent of those who do not vote are under 30-years-old, and 51 percent of these non-voters said that they do not have a particular interest in voting because they grew up in families that did not discuss political issues or candidates. According to the Los Angeles Times, when a student registers as a voter in the state’s database, he or she will automatically receive sample ballots, voter information guides and mail from campaigns.

“I think that having this opportunity is a cool leap for us, especially since we are going to be 18 and in college soon, so not having to worry about registering to vote and having the opportunity to vote is exciting,” junior Raam Tambe said. “I am well aware of American politics and knowing that I will be registered to vote as I enter college makes me excited to vote and make a difference in America as well as makes me excited to start my college life.”

One of the reasons that the push is coming from colleges is because colleges keep accurate records of students to send them bills, report cards and other pieces of information, it is ensured that the students will receive as much information as they can regarding campaigns and becoming aware as a voter.

“Taking the step into voting while we go into college is a great way to combine two important aspects of our futures as adults,” junior Jerry Wang said. “I hope this legislation gets passed as it will embolden a new generation of voters to have a voice in California.”