President Drake encourages UC community to vote in the Gubernatorial Recall Election

Dear University of California community, 

Civic engagement has always been a foundational value at the University of California, and voting is a privilege we should never take for granted. As we near the Sept. 14 election, I want to encourage all members of the UC community to participate in the electoral process. Inform yourself, make sure you are registered to vote, and cast your ballot on or before Election Day.

Here are some important dates and reminders:

• Register to vote by August 30: The deadline to register to vote online is Monday, Aug. 30. Visit the California Secretary of State’s website to register, or to double-check your registration status. This is especially important for our students, who may have moved during the pandemic or have plans to move this fall.
• Fill out, sign, and return your ballot by September 14. If you are already registered to vote and have received your ballot in the mail, be sure to complete it and return it on time. You can return your ballot by mail as long as it’s postmarked by Sept. 14, 2021. If you are not sure your ballot will arrive in time by mail, you can take it to your county elections office on or before Election Day, or to any polling place in your county between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
• You can also vote in person at the polls on September 14. Check here to find your assigned polling location.
• Miss the voter registration deadline? You have options. Eligible voters who miss the Aug. 30 voter registration deadline may still register and vote using California’s Same Day Voter Registration Process, also known as Conditional Voter Registration. Visit sos.ca.gov for a list of early voting locations where you can complete the Same Day Voter Registration Process. If you need to register on Election Day, use the California Secretary of State’s polling place lookup tool to find your local polling location.

You can always 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.

Please encourage your friends, family members, and others in your community to cast their ballot on or before Election Day. Thank you for doing your part and making your voice heard.

Fiat lux,

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