Students of all political affiliations joined together in Colusa Hall, Monday evening, to learn more about politics, at the Wildcat Vote event hosted by the Office of Civic Engagement.
Before entering the event, students were greeted by members of First Year Experience informing attendees about voter registration. Registered voters were also told about ways to check voter registration status and ways to update information if needed.
During the event, students were provide food and drink while listening to different members involved in politics discuss the importance of civic engagement. The panel, moderated by members of 4-H, included Associated Students President Alisha Sharma, former Mayor of Chico Dan Herbert, current city councilor and former Mayor of Chico Ann Schwab and Congressional Candidate for Chico’s first district, Audrey Denney. The panel discussed topics such as how to make change within a community, the importance of civic engagement and the reasons they had chosen to get involved in politics.
“It was really exciting for me to see so many college students here who have ideas and are wanting to be engaged in campaigns and the political system and [making] sure that they’re telling other people how important it is to exercise their right to vote,” Denney said.
Students also had the chance to inform peers about various topics as well.
Chico State’s Speech and Debate Team held debates about the different propositions that will be voted on, providing the benefits and the costs of each one.
Many student clubs were also at the event, informing students about how to get involved on campus or in the community. Clubs included the Chico State Democratic Club, M.E.Ch.A de Chico State and Young Americans for Liberty and more.
Those who are eligible to vote should register online before the California’s Oct. 22 deadline. Those already registered should check their voter registration status to see if any information, such as addresses, need to be updated.
Brian Luong can be reached at [email protected] or @brianluongorion on Twitter.
