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Election Invasion week

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The Election INVASION Committee, a part of the undergraduate student government external vice president’s office, is sponsoring a series of events to advocate youth voters to be more informed about the presidential candidates and the election process. The events will lead up to “Super Tuesday” Feb. 5 when registered voters can vote at local polling places.

Weds. Jan. 30: Watch the Republican presidential candidates in Hedrick Fireside Lounge from 5-7 p.m.
Thurs. Jan. 31: Watch the Democratic presidential candidates debate from in DeNeve Auditorium from 5-7 p.m.
Thurs. Jan. 31: Enjoy a screening of Drew Barrymore’s documentary “The Best Place to Start” about youth voting in DeNeve Auditorium from 7:30-9p.m.
Fri. Feb. 1: Rock out at the Rock2Vote concert featuring Crown City Rockers in Bradley International Hall from 8 - 10 p.m.
Mon. Feb. 4: Pledge to vote on Election Day at the Election INVASION Committee table on Bruin Walk from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m and on the Hill from 5-7 p.m.
SOURCE: Jesse Melgar, undergraduate student government external vice president.

Photo

Photo by Dharmishta Rood

Diana Hill, a second-year linguistics student, and Adrian Connolly, a second-year political science student, vote in a mock election as part of Election INVASION.

Results

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(link)

The Election INVASION Committee started its week-long campaign with a mock voting election Tuesday.

Jesse Melgar, Undergraduate Students Association Council external vice president and committee director, said the Election INVASION week will highlight the importance of young voters becoming informed on election issues and candidates before the California primary on Feb. 5.

Since last November, the Election INVASION Committee and other student group coalition members registered more than 1,700 students between the ages of 18 to 25 to vote. Melgar said the week-long program will push registered and unregistered students alike to learn more about the presidential candidates and their platforms.

“We really feel like it is our duty to provide a lot of information to really maximize their education,” Melgar said. “Voting should not be based on name-face recognition or on popularity.”

On Tuesday, the Election INVASION Committee cosponsored the one-day mock election event with the Bruin Democrats and College Republicans at UCLA. Students voted at several tables around campus during the event.

Students filled out sample voting ballots anonymously and were asked to sign a petition pledging to vote. The volunteers also provided nonpartisan voter guides for students.

Taylor Kayatta, a fifth-year political science student, said he would like to see strong student voter turnout.

“It’s a shame that there aren’t enough youth voters because politicians won’t pay attention to us otherwise,” Kayatta said.

Jehan Laner, a first-year political science student who voted, said she will be a poll worker during the California primary and hopes the see youth voting effect change.

“The youth vote will be a turning point for this election,” Laner said.

Though he has not yet reached legal voting age, Daniel Matusov said he still wanted to participate in the mock election and hopes that eligible students take full advantage of their rights as voters.

The Election INVASION Week will continue with events highlighting the importance of educated voting among students, including debate viewing parties, a documentary screening and a concert.

Jessica Ramirez, a fourth-year anthropology and history student, said she hopes the week will help students actively prepare to vote on Feb. 5.

“As far as UCLA students, we are always busy with our classes, work, research and lives,” Ramirez said. “We kind of let things just happen. We need to stand up for our opinions.”