CalArts Votes

Election Day is Nov. 6: A few things to remember

  • Tuesday, Nov 6: Election Day! Ballots must be postmarked by this date and returned by mail in California. Other states have different postmark dates. Please check vote.org for deadlines. Or vote in person. Find your polling place at vote.org.
  • Forgot to register?  You can still register at any California polling site on Election Day. Students can vote in California even if their permanent address is out of state. NOTE: if you live on campus and have not registered to vote, and would like to do that on voting day: Your address is 24700 McBean Parkway, Apt # is your CalArts mailbox #, Valencia CA 91355. Bring government issued ID or a drivers license (you will need it if a first time voter) and know your last four digits of your social security number. More information.   
  • Registered in California but can’t get to your polling site? California voters can vote at any official polling site in California by casting a Provisional (paper ballot) at ANY site in CA. Provisional ballots will be included in final vote totals and are often critical in close elections.  More information.
  • Need a ride to the polls? CalArts vans will leave from the Blue Wall to the nearest polling place on Tuesday, Nov. 6 for people registered on campus or who need to drop off their ballot. The vans will leave at 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm.
  • Time off for voting. CalArts employees who want to vote in the election but do not have sufficient time outside their regular working hours to do so, may request up to two hours time off from work to vote without loss of pay. Time off should be at the beginning or end of the employee’s regular working shift whichever allows the most time for voting and the least time away from work. An employee should request time off to vote from their supervisor as soon as possible.
    • Students should inform their faculty member or work study supervisor if they need time away from campus to vote. 
  • Campus election watch party. Watch democracy in action. There's a campus watch party scheduled for 7 pm at Tatum Lounge. There will be pizza and treats while the election results come in.

Voting Resources

If you are new to voting, or are in need of a refresher course, here are a few sites that will answer the most-asked questions.

  • HeadCount.org is a nonpartisan organization that works with musicians to promote participation in democracy.
  • Campus Vote Project works to eliminate barriers to student voting. 
  • Vote.org is a nonprofit that uses technology to engage voters, help increase voter turnout and strengthen American democracy.
  • The League of Women Voters believes in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy. The nonpartisan organization neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties at any level of government, but fpcuses on vital issues of concern to members and the public.
  • CalArts Library created a Voter Registration Guide.

Non-Partisan Voter Information

These sites have sample ballots, candidate comparisons, early and mail-in voting information.

Voting by Issue Resources

Voting: Getting started in four steps

Voting is an essential cornerstone to a democratic society. This mid-term election, you have a chance to decide the direction of both local and national issues. Use the resources on this page to prepare for the upcoming elections—then vote!

Registering to vote only takes a few minutes, and it isn't difficult. (Educating ourselves on exactly what's on the ballot is, but don't worry, we have resources for that, too.)

Step 1: Register 

If you procrastinated and missed the Oct. 22 voting registration deadline, California is one of 17 states that allows same-day voter registration. 

Step 2: Plan

Check your voting status. Request a mail-in ballot/absentee ballot. Find your polling place if you vote in-person. Mark your calendar with the dates below.

Step 3: Research 

What are the issues and races in your district? Bone up on the pros and cons of each issue. 

Step 4: Vote

Mail in ballot by the date required by the state in which you are registered; or return your sealed mail-in ballot to CalArts' Ballot Drop-off outside of Steve’s Cafe before 8 pm on Nov. 6. Or, if you want to vote in person, find your polling place and go!

FAQs

Have a question? Check out the list below for a few of the most common inquiries. To find out more information, contact a CalArts librarian. If you want to get involved on campus, please contact Abby Salling at asalling@calarts.edu.

You can register to vote in either place, but not both. (You also can't vote in more than one location — it's considered voter fraud.) If you decide to register in your home state, you should request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. Sources: vote.org and bestcolleges.com

Many of the sites listed in the "Resources" section, above, can lead you to sample ballots and information on voting locations, early voting and mail-in ballots.

These midterm elections will take place on Nov. 6, 2018, in the middle of President Donald Trump's first term. All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate will be contested.

Early voting and mail-in/paper  ballots are available in all districts, so check your district for information.

There are nonpartisan sites like Ballotpedia, Campus Elect and League of Women Voters where you can find information comparing candidates and issues. They don’t make endorsements; they present the information needed to make your own voting guides.

An absentee ballot is used to allow a voter to vote early or to vote if they are unable to make it to their designated polling place on Election Day. Regulations and deadlines for absentee ballots differ from state-to-state.
Source: vote.org

California’s voter registration form asks for your California driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security Number.  Source: campusvoteproject.org

California does not require IDs to vote early or on Election Day in California. There are exceptions for first-time voters who didn't provide proof of ID when registering by mail or during a voter registration drive. Source: campusvoteproject.org

Nope. You can skip contests/races/ballot measures if you don't feel certain about how to vote. Resource: calvoter.org