Dear Bruin Community:
Today is the deadline to register to vote in California for the November election.
In addition to weighing in on the candidates running for office, California voters have the opportunity to vote on a number of state and local ballot propositions that will directly affect UCLA and our community. Voters who do not register by today’s deadline can still cast a provisional ballot in person at a polling location from October 24 to November 3. We urge every eligible Bruin to register and vote in this important election.
While this has been a contentious election season, we must remember that elections are more than a chance to voice our political preferences. Elections are also opportunities for us to reaffirm a commitment to treating one another with respect and honoring one another’s well-being, even when we disagree on candidates or issues. We must stay true to these values if our democracy is to function and our communities are to thrive.
This election year — the first in our lifetimes to take place during a pandemic — has already been extraordinary in many regards. Leading up to the election, I urge you to take several important steps and to review the resources below:
- Register, make a plan to vote, and know where to vote and how to vote safely. Different states and municipalities have different rules and procedures, so make sure to learn about the rules in your area. You can find most of the information you need at VOTE 411.
- Vote early if you can, in person or by mail, to reduce crowding and wait times on the final day of the election. California voters can vote in person from October 24 to November 3.
- You can use an official ballot drop box to deposit your ballot securely. Locate a convenient official drop box in Los Angeles County at the County Registrar’s website.
- Be prepared for long lines if you vote in person. Be patient. Your vote is worth the wait.
- Expect that we may not know final election results on election night and that vote tallies will change in the days and weeks following the election. This will likely be a high-turnout election with more ballots to count than usual. Getting a final accurate count will take time.
- Remember that national elections are actually run by the states and administered by counties. Find reliable and credible sources of information from local election authorities in the days and weeks after the election and don’t fall prey to the misinformation and rumors that can sometimes spread online and through social media.
- For California voters, UCLA’s BruinsVote website is an excellent source of information about candidates, ballot propositions, how to register, how to vote safely and early, how to vote on campus, how to become a paid election worker, and how to pursue online learning opportunities about the election and related issues.
We want every Bruin to participate in the electoral process safely and respectfully. Elections elicit strong feelings of excitement for some and anxiety for others. The outcomes may be a source of elation, disappointment or both. Be engaged, stay informed and, when the voting is over, please stay magnanimous towards others and hopeful that even though the future is unknown, it will be a better one if we build it together with compassion and mutual respect.
Sincerely,
Gene D. Block
Chancellor