In a two-month runup to the November elections, Sonoma State and the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County are sponsoring a voter engagement series called It Matters! for the campus and wider community.
Open to the public, the political series offers nonpartisan, election-related events designed to foster community participation and education.
"This election is unlike anything we have ever seen in American political history," said Dr. David McCuan, SSU Professor and Masters of Public Administration (MPA) Coordinator. "The implications across the ballot, on choices of candidates, as well as questions up and down the ballot, are truly unprecedented."
The It Matters! series will include a voter registration drive, an alumni panel discussion, and a series of lunchtime discussions on topics starting September 11 with “Defending Voting Rights: Past, Present, and Future” and continuing through October with “The Role of AI in the Spread of Misinformation;” “Latinx Community & Voting;” and “The Initiative Wars: Financing of Ballot Measures,” among others.
"This is all about building stronger bridges to what we have in common and less about what divides us," McCuan said.
Loriann Negri, Director of SSU’s Learning and Academic Resource Center and Center for Community Engagement, shared that the event series was officially branded during the 2008 election cycle.
“This is a significant election year, and we felt it was important for efforts to be made cross-campus and within the community to foster the development of a civic perspective in education,” Negri said.
Negri has worked closely with Associated Student Vice President of External Affairs Asad (AJ) Franklin, and said he is actively involved with the series, leading student voter registration efforts and campaigns.
“The energy and vision of our student leaders inspire me daily, reminding me that together, we can work toward a future where every voice is heard and every perspective is valued,” she said.
Dr. Robert Eyler, Professor of Economics at Sonoma State University, will be the facilitator for the Alumni Association Panel Discussion, where three SSU faculty will offer academic perspectives on the election.
Eyler said the panel's purpose is twofold: It showcases SSU's talent and "expands the way potential voters should be thinking about the election.”
"We're going to hear from these experts and academics who will offer different outlooks, educational information, and historical perspectives that will help people to feel more equipped to make a decision," he said.
Eyler said the presidential election is important, but it is also critical to assess local and state elections and recognize their impact regardless of who is in the White House.
"We forget that there's senatorial and supervisorial elections happening in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties that are important for local politics, as well as a bunch of propositions on the ballot that are imperative for Californians looking forward," Eyler said.
“It is essential to recognize that voting is not only a right but a privilege,” Eyler said.
"That's the whole thing about democracy; we can choose. You have to decide whether or not you want to exercise it and share your voice. Get involved regardless of what you think will happen because not only will it help now, but it will help down the line."
The opening reception for It Matters! will be held on Wednesday, September 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wine Spectator Learning Center Patio. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP for the event here. Starting September 11 and continuing through November, afternoon discussions will be held on select Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. in Stevenson Hall, room 1301.
The It Matters! series is sponsored by the Sonoma State Center for Community Engagement, HUB Cultural Center, University Library, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), Department of Political Science Cheryl Peterson Memorial Lecture Fund, Associated Students, and the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County.
Krista Sherer, Strategic Communications Writer