University of Central Florida students, faculty and staff will be able to cast their ballots before Election Day on UCF’s main campus at a new early voting site at the Live Oak Event Center.
The Student Government Association worked with Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles to establish the early voting center where members of the UCF community and others from outside campus will be able to vote Monday, Oct. 22, through Sunday, Nov. 4. The agreement gives another option for voting before the general election on Nov. 6.
“Engaging in our democracy is critical to becoming an educated, impactful citizen.” – UCF President Dale Whittaker.
“Engaging in our democracy is critical to becoming an educated, impactful citizen. Removing barriers for our students and staff is the right thing to do,” UCF President Dale Whittaker says.
Cowles and UCF announced last month that there would be early voting on campus, and they’ve now picked a location that’s easily accessible and has ample parking.
The new site at the Live Oak Event Center, at Ferrell Commons near Garage B, will be open for 14 days of early voting from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Parking spaces will be set aside and marked with signage in Garage B, which is across Gemini Boulevard from the Recreation and Wellness Center.
“Our right to vote is the most powerful tool we have to shape our collective future,” SGA President Josh Boloña says. “The Student Government Association seeks to bring awareness and place special emphasis on the importance of voting. The goal of our “Charge Your Vote” campaign is to engage all UCF students, faculty and staff in the civic and electoral process.”
“Our right to vote is the most powerful tool we have to shape our collective future.” – SGA President Josh Boloña
Only those registered to vote in Orange County may cast their ballots at this or other early voting centers in Orange County. Those who live in other counties can check with their county elections office for a list of early voting locations. County elections websites also have information about how you can vote by mail.
Not sure if you’re registered to vote? You can check your voter registration status online. You can also go online to register to vote or update your address. To vote in the general election, new voters must register by Oct. 9. Current registered voters in Florida can update their information through Election Day.
Having an early voting site on campus fits in with UCF’s “Charge Your Vote” campaign to boost student registration and voting rates. At the start of the fall semester, SGA leaders enlisted all interested social and political groups on campus to help register students as they moved into residence halls. Hundreds of new voters signed up.
Last month, Washington Monthly magazine recognized UCF as one of America’s Best Colleges for Student Voting, one of only 58 universities to make the list. The ranking is based in part on UCF’s comprehensive effort to increase voting rates among students. As part of a formal plan to increase civic learning and political engagement, the university has set a goal of achieving a 70 percent student voting rate by 2020.
