With November elections approaching next month, the La-Palma Cerritos American Association of University Women was on campus Thursday, Oct. 2, to register students to vote.
“The goal today is to get everyone to register to vote who isn’t already registered,” Sandra Cohen, public policy chair, said.
In addition to voter registration, the AAUW also looked to register students to its organization.
“Because Cerritos College is a member of the AAUW, all students are eligible for free e-membership,” Tobi Balma, legal advocacy chair, explained. “When they graduate, they can be gifted with a membership to AAUW.”
Membership with the AAUW on a college level can lead to scholarships from the organization, while beyond college, the organization can help graduates with jobs or travel.
“I was already registered to vote, but I wanted to get more info on the AAUW,” English major Vanessa Vega said.
“I think it is important to take part in the democracy that America has created. We live in a republic, but that only works if you speak up. You can only speak up if you are counted, and if you’re not counted, you don’t exist,” Vega continued.
“If you don’t exist, then you can’t complain about anything. I think if you vote, even if it doesn’t go your way, you can say ‘Hey, I didn’t vote for that guy.'”
Cohen said, “[Students] are foolish if they think their interests are being protected by the people who are voted in by others.”
While not every student that stopped and asked questions registered, Harriet Moses, public policy co-chair, seemed to find it understandable.
“I think they (students) really don’t know what things represent. Maybe they just want to go to class, but sometimes, they have a hard time unless it personally affects them,” she said.
