President Drake: Make your voice heard

The University of California has a proud history of working together to make the world a better place. Voting is a privilege – one that allows us to choose our leaders and shape the policies that affect our communities.

UC students turned out in force in 2020. More than 75% of those who were eligible to vote that year did so, up from less than half who participated in 2016. Let’s build on that momentum in 2022. Our staff and faculty can help by encouraging student participation in the democratic process and voting themselves.

You may have already marked your calendars for June 7 – California’s Primary Election Day. If not, I encourage you to make a plan today to vote next month. The deadline to register to vote in California for the primary election is May 23. After that, you can use Same Day Voter Registration to vote conditionally at your county elections office, polling place or vote center. Even if you aren’t eligible to vote, you can encourage your friends, family members, and others in your community to cast their ballots.

Be sure to visit the UC Votes website to learn more about how you can make a difference. You can also visit the California Secretary of State’s website – or reach out to your county elections office – for factual, nonpartisan, up-to-date information about this election and the voting process.

Thank you for doing your part and making your voices heard.

Fiat Lux,
Michael V. Drake, M.D.
President, University of California