Flex Your Right: Register to Vote

| Lynsey Forsberg

San Luis Obispo, Calif. 05/11/2026 — Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) strives to encourage students to register to vote and promote civic engagement. The Cal Poly community has an essential role in influencing the decision-making process at the local, state, and federal levels of government. ASI Student Government is working hard to ensure students are registered to vote and have accurately updated voter information. The deadline for voter registration in this election cycle is Monday, May 18. In California, those who miss the deadline to register can still go to a county elections office, vote center, or polling place on or before Election Day to complete Same Day Voter Registration. The Statewide Direct Primary Election is being held Tuesday, June 2.   

Who should register to vote?   

  • A new voter   
  • A 16 or 17-year-old who would like to pre-register and automatically be registered on their 18th birthday  
  • A registered voter who needs to change their information (name, address, political party, etc.)   

Who can register to vote? 

  • A United States citizen   
  • A resident of California.  
  • Anyone who has a San Luis Obispo County address, even if just living here for school, is able to register to vote in the County  
  • 18 years or older on election day   
  • Not in state or federal prison, or on parole for a conviction of a felony   
  • Not found mentally incompetent to vote by a court of law   

How do you vote? Students have three options to vote:   

  1. In Person: In-person voting booths will be open on, and before, Election Day. If wanting to vote in person, individuals should visit their assigned polling location as stated on their ballot. 
  2. Drop Off: Ballots can be dropped off at the University Union ballot box, at any ballot drop-off location around the County, or at the County Clerk’s Office. All ballots must be dropped by 8 p.m. on Election Day.  
  3. Mail In: Ballots can be mailed to the County Clerk’s Office but must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Every registered voter will receive a ballot in the mail.  

For those needing registration assistance, ASI Student Government will be hosting booths in the University Union Plaza (near Building 65) and on Dexter Lawn (near Building 34). Boothing starts on May 5 and occurs every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.–noon on a weekly basis leading up to the election on June 2. 

For California residents, register to vote or check your voter registration status by visiting the Secretary of State’s website. For out-of-state individuals, register to vote or update your registration status here.   

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