Power to The People

HSU students encourage voter registration

The National Voters Registration Drive was held Sept. 25 at the Humboldt State University quad to re-register voters, register students that had not be registered and to educate students on state and local measures for the upcoming Nov. 6 election.

Associated Students Board Coordinator, Casey Park, has participated in four tabling events this year to advocate students on voting. The drive was another way to get students to be more active in voting. With an influx of students predominantly not from this area, many students are unaware of having to re-register to vote when moving to Humboldt County.

“Have you moved?” Park said. “Because you then need to re-register.”

One challenge Park has during the tabling event is getting students that are moving in and out of classes to stop and listen to re-registration tips.

“The challenge is figuring out the flow of students, and which one phrase in a day will get people’s attention to stop and listen,” Park said.

The League of Women Voters and the Party of Socialism and Liberation collaborated on the drive to register students. They helped students who needed to re-register for Humboldt County and to emphasized the importance of voting.

Students that are not originally registered to vote in Humboldt County can still vote through mail and will be able to vote on state and local measures.

Associated student member and environmental science major, Roxana Mostafavi, had just moved to Humboldt County from Los Angeles County this semester. Hearing Park speak about re-registering got her attention so she stopped to re-register.

“We’re the younger generation, it’s our world, it’s our planet,” Mostafavi said. “I think we need to be more active.”

Being active in events like the National Voter Registration day gives a push to those who tend to believe that their vote does not actually count.

According to the League of Women Voters voter service director, Anne Hartline, the following months leading up to the upcoming ballot is of the most important times of the year.

“When it comes time to vote, and your not registered, how can you make a difference?” Hartline said. “Our goal is to get at least one student that didn’t plan to vote, to go and make a difference by voting. I feel today we got many more than one.”

There are two local measures that will be on the Nov. 6 ballot. The first, Measure K, would make Humboldt County a sanctuary county. Yes on K would prohibit local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration officials. No on K is deciding against prohibiting local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration officials.

The other is Measure M, which regards the removal of the statue of William McKinley in Arcata plaza. No on M would grant the removal of the statue and yes on M would allow the statue to remain in the plaza.

For more information on registration, voters rights, and measures call League of Women Voters of Humboldt County (707) 444-9252 or contact the Associated Students at HSU.