With the election year in full swing, community colleges across San Diego and Imperial counties, including MiraCosta and Palomar colleges, are rolling out a variety of civic engagement activities to encourage students to exercise their voting rights.
From Constitution Day celebrations to voter registration drives, the events aim to foster a culture of civic participation on campus and emphasize the importance of being informed, active citizens. San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association member campuses, including MiraCosta in Oceanside and Palomar in San Marcos, are working to empowering students to make their voices heard and contribute to their communities through voting.
“Civic engagement is a crucial component of the student experience,” said Lenor Johnson, superintendent/president of Imperial Valley College and president of SDICCCA. “Our colleges are committed to helping students participate in the democratic process and make informed decisions that shape their futures and communities.”
MiraCosta College events
MiraCosta College promotes civic engagement through its student-centered Get Out the Vote efforts, emphasizing voter participation among college-aged individuals. As part of the initiatives, the college celebrated National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 17 across all four campuses.
In collaboration with student organizations, MiraCosta is also developing social media campaigns and educational materials on California ballot measures through the National Voter Registration Day Community College Grant.
Information about the events below is available at the college’s Vote 2024 events page.
✔ Barbershop Discussion Series: Civic Engagement in Our Communities — This open forum will explore the role of civic engagement in shaping local communities, providing a space for discussion and reflection.
✔ Encinitas City Council Candidate Meet and Greet — Students and community members will be able to meet Encinitas City Council candidates and engage in discussions on local governance.
✔ California Proposition 36 Town Hall — A town hall discussion featuring District Attorney Summer Stephan, focusing on California Prop. 36, to help students and community members understand this important measure.
✔ Pending Congressional District 49 Candidate Debate — MiraCosta College will host a debate featuring candidates for the contested 49th Congressional District. This event will provide voters with a direct opportunity to hear from the candidates on key issues affecting the region.
✔ League of Women Voters Proposition Forum — An in-depth look at the key propositions on the California ballot, helping voters make informed choices.
For additional information, visit miracosta.edu/vote2024.
Palomar College events
The Associated Student Government of Palomar College hosts three civic engagement events in the Student Union at the San Marcos campus on Sept. 17, Oct. 2, and Oct. 16. Each event will feature voter registration opportunities.
The Sept. 17 event, held in collaboration with the League of Women Voters and the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, focused on student engagement in the democratic process. Rep. Scott Peters (D-50th District) will speak to students on Oct. 16 about the importance of community engagement.
In addition, the Palomar College Fallbrook Education Center is a designated voting location for the upcoming general election. The center is located at 35090 Horse Ranch Creek Road in Fallbrook.
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association is a collaboration of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, Imperial Valley College, MiraCosta College, Palomar College, the San Diego Community College District and Southwestern College.
This news item is published as a community service by the North Coast Current and OsideNews ahead of the November 2024 election.
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