WHEREAS, In 2024, 41 million members of Gen Z were eligible to vote, with with only 42% doing so[1] and according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, “In 2016, the second most common reason (for not voting) shared between young people with and without college experience—47% and 44%, respectively—was that they were too busy or had a conflict on Election Day, which for students may mean classes and, for youth who aren’t in college, a job”[2];
WHEREAS, That amongst all age groups, voters between the ages of 18-29 have the lowest voter turnout in the both the nation and in California [3] and that Black and Hispanic voters are largely underrepresented with 47% of Latinos and 54% of African Americans likely to vote, compared to 65% of non-Hispanic whites [4];
WHEREAS, Approximately 60% of students across the California Community College System are 24 years of age or younger[5] and additionally 48% of California Community College Students are Hispanic while 5% are Black; and
WHEREAS, Stanford has created “Democracy Day”6 which is a declared academic holiday with the purpose of allowing students to go vote and the Cabrillo Community College District Board of Trustee passed a resolution in October of 2024 asking faculty to not penalize students for being absent on Election Day [7]; Now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate that the Legislature makes the first Tuesday of November of each statewide or national election a state holiday;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate to the Chancellor’s Office that every Community College District create an academic holiday on the first Tuesday of November of each statewide or national election year;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges continue to encourage students to register to vote by promoting voter registration events on community college campuses across the state and online registration via https://registertovote.ca.gov/?t=s; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges continue to encourage students to be civically engaged through newsletters, social media posts and other methods.
Citations:
[2]https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/why-youth-dont-vote-differences-race-and-education
[3]https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/01/california-election-2024-young-voters-trump/
[4] https://www.ppic.org/publication/race-and-voting-in-california/
[6] https://www.democracydaystanford.org/
[7]https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/cabrillo/Board.nsf/files/D9UN3R5D3901/$file/Resolution%23%20027-24%20_%20ASCC%20-%20Election%20Day-signed.pdf