USD among best colleges for voter registration

How our campus values and promotes political engagement

LAUREN CEBALLOS / CONTRIBUTOR / THE USD VISTA

National Voter Registration Day took place last Tuesday, Sept. 20, a day that seeks to bring awareness to the importance of voting and help people nationwide register to vote. The national holiday began in 2012; since then, according to the organization’s website, nearly 4.7 million people have registered to vote on this holiday. 

According to the Washington Monthly, a nonprofit D.C.-based magazine that covers government and politics in the U.S., the University of San Diego is among the best colleges for student voting, with a registration rate above 85%. 

USD Votes is an on-campus, non-partisan club devoted to getting students registered and involved in local and national elections. They play a significant role in achieving the new accomplishment of the USD student community.

On National Voter Registration Day, USD Votes canvassed with shirts and bags, participated in text banking to walk students through the voter registration process via text message, and distributed voter registration forms for students wanting to register in California. The club also assists out-of-state students and students studying abroad. 

USD Votes Club President Iesha Brown described the club’s efforts. 

“USD Votes promote[s] voter mobilization and voter access and information,” Brown said. “We are a volunteer group of students and staff that work together to mobilize voters on campus and to empower our USD community to get involved with voting.”

Brown explained the mission of USD Votes.

“Our goal isn’t necessarily to sway anybody to a certain party. Our main thing is to give them the information on how to register to vote, and then with that registration, actually actively vote and participate in the election, whichever party they decide,” Brown said. “We are open to everybody. [It’s] about helping students know the options they have and giving them access to voting.” 

USD Votes Advisor Dr. Casey Dominguez discussed the growth in USD student voting.

“When USD started participating in the National Study of Student Learning, Voting, and Engagement, around 2014 or 2015… [it] showed that USD students registered to vote at a rate of about 16%,” Dr. Dominguez said. “I thought that was completely unacceptable.”

As a result, Dr. Dominguez founded USD Votes by recruiting political science students, advertising through contests, tabeling and text banking as a way to “have a conversation with every student.”

One recurring conversation in the current political climate is the most recent presidential election in the U.S. Joe Biden won the election over the previous incumbent Donald Trump in 2020. During the election, a referendum on the importance of voting took place.          The phrase “Go Vote” was advertised over a multitude of platforms: social media threads, shirts at local department stores, stickers, phone cases and a plethora of other forms of memorabilia advocating for people to vote.

According to a 2021 U.S. Census Bureau report on registration and voting, “The 2020 presidential election had the highest voter turnout of the 21st century, with 66.8% of citizens 18 years and older voting in the election.” 

This increase in voting and political involvement is viewed by many as a positive step in the right direction to ensure all voices are heard. 

Adjunct Assistant Professor in Political Science and International Relations Dr. Alan Segui shared his thoughts on the impact of voting.  

“When we’re voting for people in Congress or when we’re voting for people in the state senate or state assembly, we are voting for people who in turn are going to make decisions on what the laws and policies are going to be,” Dr. Segui said. “But as far as democracy in its truest sense, where the people get to decide what the laws and policies are going to be, in its purest form, democracy – direct democracy – is manifested by how people vote on those ballot measures, vote on those ballot propositions.”

Dr. Segui believes voting is the best way to advocate for important policy reforms.

“We, as citizens or residents of California, can make that determination and, in some instances, determine the laws and policies that are going to affect us,” Dr. Segui said. “Not by selecting or through representatives, or not by voting people in government, but by voting on our own that this is the law, this is the policy that we want.” 

USD first-year Bella Sevilla reaffirms Dr. Segui’s sentiment on voting. 

“Voting is important, because it lets people voice their opinions on issues they are affected by and passionate about, so they can see the change they want in their country,” Sevilla said.

USD first-year Kate Lising views voting as a necessity to draw attention to the needs of the masses. 

“I think voting is important because this is how the audience can get their opinions across,” Lising said. “If we didn’t vote, no one would ever know what we’re thinking, or if we’re enjoying the lives we’re living.”

Dr. Dominguez believes USD Votes is an influential club on campus for its unwavering efforts to get students registered and inform the campus community about voting, labeling the club as a “declarative statement.”

The determination and efforts of USD Votes echo the new wave of political activism and involvement seen in newer generations. The club’s mission to get students registered extends beyond Voter Registration Day and, instead, is a year-long campaign to ensure all students play a role in deciding the nation’s leaders, policies and formation of a country that advocates for its citizens.