Civic Engagement

Civic Engagement Quick Links

California University and College Ballot Bowl

The California University and College Ballot Bowl is a friendly competition where higher education campuses compete to register the most students to vote and showcase civic engagement efforts. The California Secretary of State Students Vote Project hosts the Ballot Bowl only during an even numbered year ahead of the general election. Santa Monica College consistently is represented amongs the top community colleges in voter registration efforts and notably Santa Monica College captured the #1 spot for the largest number of students registered to vote in the CCC category. A full breakdown can be found on the Ballot Bowl Results webpage.

SMC is a Voting Center!

Voting Center Information

Located in the Cayton Center Faculty Lounge inside the Cafeteria area.

Voting Hours

Early Voting Hours

Saturday, November 2, through Monday, November 4, 2024:
- 10 a.m. - 7 p.m

Election Day Hours

Tuesday, November 5, 2024
- 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.*
  *Voting hours will be extended past 8 p.m. for any voter in line at the time of closing. Pursuant to California Elections Code, any voter in line at time of closing shall be provided the opportunity to receive and cast a ballot.
- Ride the Big BLue Bus for free on Election Day

Vote Early!

All registered California voters will get a ballot in the mail. Click here to register to vote (15 days before an election, to get your mail-in ballot).

Mail in your ballot ahead of time
Drop your ballot in an official Ballot Dropbox
Drop off your ballot at a vote center
Vote in person at a vote center

Vote Centers in L.A. County

Track Your Ballot

All voters can get critical updates on their ballots through California's official "Where's My Ballot?" tracking tool. Signing up takes lass than 3 minutes!

What You Can Track

What it tracks You can select to receive notifications on the status of your vote-by-mail ballot by test (SMS), email, or voice call, including alerts if there are any issues with your ballot and instructions for how to correct them to make sure your vote is counted.

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Apply to be a Poll Worker

Apply to be a Poll Worker

Requirements:

At least 18 years of age or older
If 17 years or younger, may participate in the High School Student Election Worker Program
A resident of California
US Citizen registered to vote or possessing legal permanent resident status (Green Card holder)

Serve as a nonpartisan Election Protection Volunteer

Serve as nonpartisan Election Protection volunteers

Anyone can sign up to help with one of the following efforts on Election Day and/or during the early vote period. It takes 2 minutes to sign up: fill out the form with your basic information, select your county, and then select from three volunteer options: (1) Poll Monitor, (2) Social Media Monitor, and (3) Textbanker.

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Student Activism

Non-Voter Resources

Are you an International Student or not eligible to vote? Here are other ways to participate:

Be Curious. There’s a lot to learn about US politics and government. It can be overwhelming, but luckily, there are a lot of great resources to understanding the basics of it all. Look at reputable news sources and non-profit voter education sites (check out this BBC News article). You can also join the conversation – learn about other’s point of view.
Fact Check. There’s a lot of information out there — some of it is great, some of it is questionable, and some of it is just plain incorrect. Make sure you’re getting news from a trusted, reliable source. Watch out for bias or “spin.” Ask friends and professors who are familiar with the American media landscape to learn more about reliable sources. Consider using the fact-checking operations offered by trusted journalism sources including The Associated Press, Reuters and The Poynter Institute.
Get Out the Vote! While you may not be able to vote, you can make sure those who can do. Although many of us are staying at home, we all lead busy live – it's easy to forget to plan to vote. Even though many of us are stuck at home, we all still have busy lives. This election affects everyone – encourage your friends, classmates, and neighbors to vote!

Voter Resources

Students can drop off Vote by Mail ballots, cast ballots in person, request cross-over party ballots (Democratic Party, Libertarian Party, American Independent Party).

Rock the Vote - Voter Registration
Rock the Vote – How to Vote by State
Voter Bill of Rights
Voting in College – Know Your Rights
LA County – Current and Upcoming Elections
Voting Terminology Glossary
How to Educate Yourself Before Election Day
Voter's Edge - Get the facts before you vote
Vote Smart - Educate Yourself on Important Issues and Candidates
Secretary of State’s Students Vote Project. 
Secretary of State Elections Info
Secretary of State’s Voter Information Guide
Secretary of State's Statewide Voter Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683)

Election Stress Resources

We recognize the unique challenges and stress that can be created around election time. Heightened media exposure, social tension, and intense discussions may increase stress and anxiety, underscoring the importance of prioritizing mental well-being. Maintaining a balanced perspective helps reduce burnout, fosters healthy connections, and builds resilience amidst potential divisiveness.