Get Ready, Get Set, Vote!

You have to register to vote at one address, either at home or at school. Your choice!

I think I'm registered already. Can I check? (Yes!)

• If you are already registered, make sure you know where and when you will get your ballot. Do you need to request a mail ballot? Will you vote in person?

I don't know where I want to vote. Help me decide!

I know I want to register with my San Diego address.

• I know I will be at that address on March 3 to vote in person or I know that I will cast my vote early by mail.

I know I want to register at my parents/home address elsewhere in California.

• I know I will be at that address on March 3 to vote in person.

I know I want to register at my parents/home address in another state.

• I know that I will be at that address on the date of the state primary election (every state's election day is different).
• Or else, I know that I will be able to vote by mail and have the state send my ballot sent to my school address. Make sure you check out your state's specific rules. They may be different for the presidential election.

There is more to voting than just presidential elections. You get to decide who represents you in your city government, your state government, and in Congress as well.

Reliable sources

It's great to read a newspaper every day. The library also holds workshops on how to be news literate.

USD Students in the Political Science class on State and Local Politics have created a guide to the 2020 March ballot for San Diego county. Check it out!

Events at USD

• If you are voting here in San Diego, or even in California generally,come to the USD Votes Spring 2020 Information Session. It will be held on February 11, from 4-7pm in Salomon Hall in Maher.
• In the Fall, you should check out Voice of San Diego's Politifest. It will be held right here AT USD in October. There will be speakers, panel discussions, community group booths, and TONS of great information about local and state elections this year!
• As a University, our mission is to help our community seek out and reliable information. Every semester there are many other events on campus to help you learn about politics, government, and public policy.

Websites

• Did you know that every ballot in the United States is printed at the county level? So your choices and decisions may be different from others who live in different states, cities, or even neighborhoods. Thankfully, the internet makes getting reliable information easy, if you know where to look.

• Ballotpedia compiles voting records and public statements from public officials from around the country at many levels of government. It also has a local ballot tool to help you look up your own ballot choices.

• California voters can learn about statewide ballot propositions and candidates at Californiachoices.org.

• Project Vote Smart compiles voting records and public statements from public officials around the country. Once you know who is running for office in your community, this is a great resource to check out their records.

• The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that compiles election specific information from around the country.

• Once you know who is representing you, check out their websites. Obviously they want to present themselves as positively as possible, but check out what they promise to do if elected!

Do you use a planner? Google calendar? Microsoft outlook? Take a moment right now to write down some important dates!

• I am casting a ballot in person in San Diego
• I am casting a ballot by mail in San Diego
• I am casting a ballot by mail from another California county
• I am casting a ballot in person in another California County
• I am casting a ballot by mail from another state