September 22, 2020
Dear USC Community,
I am writing to you on National Voter Registration Day, dedicated to one of the fundamental privileges of living in a democracy – the right to vote. For many of you, this may be your first election. I will never forget the feeling I had the first time I voted. It was exhilarating. With 42 days left until this year’s election, I urge all of you to take the opportunity today to make sure you are registered to vote.
No matter where you live currently, the process is easy and begins here. It only takes a few minutes to register online or to access required forms if you reside in a state that does not offer online registration.
Our goal this year is to achieve 100 percent participation at USC, especially among our student body. Here, I’d like to acknowledge the impressive work of two campus entities: USC Dornsife’s Center for the Political Future and VoteSC, a student-run nonpartisan organization that seeks to make voting more accessible to students. Through their joint efforts, USC’s student voter registration numbers have climbed considerably, from 16 percent in 2014 to 45 percent in 2018.
Just think of the impact we can have as Trojans, spread this year across all parts of our country and beyond. Voting is one of the most important civic actions for which we all can – and should – participate. Elections matter and every vote counts.
Leading up to November, we will be working to help everyone in our community vote.
- The Galen Center will be open for voting from October 30 – November 3. Staffed by volunteers from USC Athletics, University Relations, VoteSC, and the Center for the Political Future, the Galen Center will be fully prepared to meet the unique challenges posed by holding an election in the midst of a pandemic. Face coverings will be required, and our teams are working diligently to ensure sanitation protocols are fully observed and that physical distancing is maintained throughout the voting process.
- I have asked our communications teams to amplify the voter registration and turn-out efforts of VoteSC and the Center for the Political Future using the university’s communications and social media channels. USC’s reach is considerable and over the coming 42 days, you will hear us talk a lot more about the importance of registering and voting.
Together, we can make 2020 the benchmark for USC’s civic participation. Please join thousands of your fellow Trojans by registering to vote today.
With gratitude,
Carol L. Folt President