The University Union on Cal Poly’s campus witnessed a consistent voter turnout this afternoon. Cal Poly students began dropping off their ballots as early as 7 a.m.
For the most part, the atmosphere remained calm at the UU ballot drop-off station.
“People think it’s a lot to vote; Cal Poly made it easy,” said freshman Katie Hopkins regarding the ease of the voting process.
Some students cast their ballots with little hesitation, while others took their time reading and double-checking signage. Voters seemed to be rolling in from the south end of the UU Lounge area. Some student voters came alone, others in groups.
Eventually, ballot retriever officers from the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder emptied the ballot box in the UU. The box was first emptied yesterday morning.
Asha Parker, a Cal Poly freshman, reiterated some of the ease she felt while casting her ballot. Parker voted within Santa Clara County in Northern California, when her parents dropped off her ballot during Parent’s Weekend, a few days ago.
“Super easy, took me like 10 minutes,” Parker said in regards to the process of dropping off her ballot.
Naeryl Ronquillo, a Cal Poly junior, talked about their experience as a first-time voter. Ronquillo initially registered to vote their freshmen of college during a non-election year.
She registered again online for SLO County this year and received their ballot in early October. Ronquillo was confused about another registered ballot she had at home in Kings County.
“I’m really worried about them revoking my vote, but it says that I registered in the county of San Luis Obispo,” Ronquillo said.
She felt passionate about the issue of rent control in Proposition 33.
“As a college student who pays rent, I really don’t think we should be paying this much rent,” Ronquillo said. “Especially in our financial situation.”
Ronquillo was also passionate about the amendment clarification regarding same-sex marriage in Proposition 3. She additionally reiterated some of the ease felt around dropping off their ballot.
“I’m really happy that there are so many ways to make voting easier, especially for students who may not have cars,” Ronquillo said.
Outside of the UU, Cal Poly juniors and first-time voters Marcie Bonet and Talia Sandher had difficulty finding information on state propositions and local candidates.
“For local candidates, it was harder to find information because you Google them and there’d be like nothing; no age, no nothing,” Bonet said. Sandher added the same frustrations when attempting to research propositions.
As economics majors, Bonet and Sandher felt passionately about Proposition 33 and how it can impact the economy.
When asked about potential election outcomes, Sandher was fearful.
“I’m scared honestly,” Sandher said. “I think it’s going to go a bad way, but it is what it is.”
