City on a Hill Press encourages all UC Santa Cruz students to exercise their right to vote on Nov. 5 in the general, state, and local elections. Whether students choose to participate in their hometown or in Santa Cruz, it’s important they make their voices heard.  

In-state students should consider who is on the ballot in their hometowns and in Santa Cruz, and what respective issues and local policies are most important to them. As for out-of-state students, non-Californian residents are unable to vote locally in Santa Cruz, though we encourage such students to stay informed on politics in their home states.

“It’s one of the most impactful ways that we can show what we want to see changed, whether it’s locally, nationally, internationally, in our society.” -Nicolas Robles, Student Union Assembly vice president of Student Life

How do I Register?

Through Oct. 21, students can register, or re-register, to vote in California online, by phone, or in person. Oct. 21 is also the last day to register if voting online or by mail; after that, students must register in person at their county elections office or polling place. 

To register online, students will need their California driver’s license or ID card, the last four digits of their Social Security number, and their date of birth. There is a link to register to vote on MyUCSC under “enrollment.” California residents can check their voter registration status on California’s “My Voter Status” website. 

Students can also call the Santa Cruz Clerk/County Elections office at (831)-454-2060 or 1-(866)-282-5900 to request that a voter registration card be mailed to them, or they can fill out a voter registration card at the Santa Cruz County Elections Office. Voter registration cards can also be found at many public locations across Santa Cruz including post offices and libraries.

Where can I Vote?

If students decide to vote in their hometown while living in Santa Cruz, they should ensure that they are registered to vote using their permanent (hometown) address with their current (Santa Cruz) residence as their mailing address in order to receive an absentee ballot in the mail. The deadline to request an absentee ballot may differ from county to county. Visit UCSC’s Office of the Registrar website for commonly asked voting questions and more information. 

If opting to vote by mail, students’ ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, Nov. 5, and received by Nov. 12 to be counted.

Voting Centers will be available throughout Santa Cruz on the following dates:

Open Oct. 7 until Nov. 5

  • Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections, 701 Ocean St., Room 310

Open Oct. 26 until Nov. 5

  • Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Open Nov. 2 until Nov. 5

  • Bonny Doon Elementary School, 1492 Pine Flat Rd.
  • Masonic Center, 828 N. Branciforte Ave.
  • Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, 5200 Soquel Ave.
  • UCSC Stevenson Event Center, 520 Cowell-Stevenson Rd.

Open Nov. 5

  • Christian Life Center, 1009 Mission St.