News

Legislation suggests CSUs and UCs to have polling places

Excuses of not voting because a polling place is out of reach may soon disappear.

New proposed legislation, Senate Bill 240, would require all Cal State Universities and Universities of California to have polling places on campus during general elections. SB 240 was introduced by Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), according to the Official California Legislative Information website.

According to the bill’s text, current law requires that there be a “convenient number of election precincts” during general elections.

In addition to requiring all CSUs and UCs to host a polling place for statewide general elections, SB 240 would require community colleges do the same if it is “convenient for voters,” according to the bill’s text.

According to Adam Keigwin, Yee’s chief of staff, the reaction to SB 240 has been positive.

“I think faculty will support this,” Keigwin said. “This is what college is about, creating a citizenry that is engaged.”

According to Keigwin, Yee authored a bill in 2012 that allowed California voters to register online. About 800,000 California citizens used online voter registration last year, Keigwin said. Approximately 60 percent of those citizens were under the age of 35, according to Keigwin.

For some students, like freshmen business major Logan Winter, the idea to require polling places is a good idea.

“I think [SB 240] should be an option,” Winter said, “as it could increase turnout in the younger demographic.”

Freshman biology major Colin Stensrud said setting up additional polling places makes it easier to vote.

“[Polling places] will give [a chance to] students who didn’t have an opportunity to cast their vote,” Stensrud said.
SB 240 will have its first hearing in the Senate Elections Committee in mid-late March, according to Keigwin.

According to CSU Spokesman Erik Fallis, about six to seven CSU campuses had polling places during the 2012 presidential election.

“Only one had any [initial] challenges working with the registrar’s office to set one up,” Fallis said. “All the others had no issues.”
 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Daily 49er newsletter

Instagram