In a time when our federal administration is favoring ideologies that oppose diversity, individual freedoms and environmental protection, making your voice heard is more important than ever.
In the 2026 June primary election in Santa Cruz County, 29.52 percent of eligible voters aged 18-29 turned out to the polls. Comparatively, nearly 67.83 percent of voters over the age of 55 cast a vote.
According to The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, across the country “nearly 50 million young people (ages 18 to 29) are eligible to vote in the 2026 midterms — a major potential force in shaping electoral outcomes and the future of our democracy.”
How to Register
Registering to vote is the first step in taking action in any election. To register online, California residents need either a driver’s license or ID card number and the last four digits of a Social Security number (SSN) to register through the California Online Voter Registration website. Voters must register 15 days in advance unless they are voting in person.
If you decide to register in person, UC Santa Cruz is hosting Santa Cruz County’s VoteMobile booth on Election Day, Nov. 3, in Lot 126 (by the Media Theatre) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be sure to know your dorm room and campus mail box number if you live on campus.
I’m Already Registered! How Do I Vote?
UCSC will have a polling site open at Stevenson Event Center on the following dates and times:
- Oct. 31: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Nov. 1: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Nov. 2: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Nov. 3: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Mail-in ballots can be dropped off in a drop box anytime from now until Nov. 3 at 8pm or at a polling place or voting center on Election Day. If you are mailing your ballot it needs to be postmarked on or before November 3rd in order to be counted.
What if I’m Registered in a Different County or State?
Many students at UCSC are voting in different states or counties. Although this changes the nature of your ballot — different propositions and different elected officials — the steps to turn your ballot in are the same. If you are able to retrieve your physical ballot, be sure to do some research, follow the steps above and vote!
If you are an out-of-state student, you can also request an absentee ballot. According to the California Voter Information Guide, to apply for an absentee ballot, use the application printed on your sample ballot, which you will receive prior to the election, or apply in writing to your county elections official.
To have your replacement ballot sent to you in Santa Cruz, you should submit your request at least seven days before election day. The submission must contain your name and address as stated on your registration card, the new address to which the absentee ballot should be sent, the name and date of the election, and the submission date, along with your signature. Essentially, mail-in voting where you are still able to turn it into a ballot box or polling station the day of the election.
Where To Find Candidate Information and Funding
Most states have official voting guides which give voters factual information about their ballots. Usually, these are delivered alongside your ballot via mail, but can otherwise be found online when you look up “[your state] voting guide.” California voters can check out CalMatters for additional information about propositions, measures and state offices. Santa Cruz County voters can find more information online at Santa Cruz Local’s election guide. Most counties also have similar, local sources for additional voting information.
Unverified or unreliable sources on social media cloud the landscape of political information. Making sure you are well informed by trusted, researched sources before going to the polls is crucial to making decisions that align with your beliefs.