SJSU Votes students attended the Don Edwards Lecture at the SJSU Student Union Theater, featuring a conversation with Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez on Oct. 3. The event, sponsored by the Department of Political Science and moderated by Mercury News journalist Sal Pizzaro, provided an in-depth look at Chavez's work representing District 2, which encompasses over half a million residents in the central, east and south San Jose areas. During the discussion, Chavez highlighted several key achievements from her tenure such as her successful efforts to prevent the closure of the trauma unit at Regional Medical Center, her work to halt the sale of leaded aviation fuel at Reid-Hillview Airport and her leadership in launching a public awareness campaign to combat the growing fentanyl crisis. The event gave students a unique opportunity to engage with Chavez directly. Before and after the event, SJSU Votes students also mobilized voters and provided SJSU Votes’ swag.
SJSU Votes Co-Sponsors Vice-Presidential Debate Watch Party
SJSU Votes and several campus organizations (Bridge SJSU, Pi Sigma Alpha, Associated Students and the SJSU Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) co-sponsored a watch party for the vice-presidential debate between Governor Tim Walz and Senator JD Vance, which aired on CBS. Over 30 participants engaged in the event, with representatives from various campus organizations guiding discussions throughout the debate on Oct. 1. “We learned a lot more about the candidates and their policies during this debate compared to the presidential debate earlier this year,” Katelyn Gambarin, A.S. Director of Legislative Affairs, said. Special thanks go to Gambarin, SJSU Votes member Erin Gilhespie, Pi Sigma Alpha members Chima Nwokolo and Insiya Neemuchwala, Bridge SJSU Director of Outreach Samantha Sternstein, and Dr. Craig Alimo, SJSU ODEI for moderating the event and to Dr. Currin-Percivall, SJSU Votes Director for organizing the event.
San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei spoke to Political Participation Students on Political Engagement and Public Service
On Oct 1., San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei visited Dr. Currin-Percival’s POLS 108 Political Participation class, offering a look into her public service career and her city council work. The class explores various forms of political engagement, from voting and community involvement to driving social change. Addressing an audience of more than 20 students, Kamei discussed her journey in politics, highlighting the importance of active participation in local government and the impact of public service on communities. She also gave advice on pursuing careers in elected office, answering questions about the challenges and rewards of campaigning. In addition to discussing her path, Kamei offered guidance on finding internship opportunities and gaining hands-on political experience.
SJSU Votes Co-Sponsors Presidential Debate Watch Party
SJSU Votes and other campus organizations co-sponsored a hybrid presidential debate watch party on Sept. 10, 2025. The virtual watch party was sponsored by representatives from Democrats at SJSU, Pi Sigma Alpha and Associated Students on Zoom. Bridge SJSU hosted an in-person event in the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. Around 40 individuals participated evenly between in-person and online. Representatives from the campus organizations facilitated discussion throughout the debate. “I think this debate has shifted my perspective on who to vote for,” Participant Carlos Flores said. Thank you SJSU Votes member Diya Agrawal, Pi Sigma Alpha member Leanna Yanes Cruz, president of Democrats at SJSU Chima Nwokolo, Bridge SJSU director of outreach Samantha Sternstein and A.S. director of legislative affairs Katelyn Gambarin for leading the dialogue.
SJSU Move in Day
On Aug. 16 and 17, SJSU Votes participated in campus move-in, welcoming transfer students and freshmen into their dorms for the upcoming school year. We tabled outside the housing quad and spoke to students about the importance of voting. When stopping by our table, students were able to grab some fun and cool voter swag, such as pens, posters and stickers. They also wrote why it is important to vote and signed pledge cards, pledging to vote, volunteer in their community, and/or talk to others about being civically engaged. All of this made students more motivated to use their vote and vote.
SJSU Votes Organizes Another Successful SJSU Votes Festival for National Voter Registration Day!
SJSU Votes organized the 2023 Votes Festival to celebrate National Voter Registration Day. It was the second annual SJSU Votes Festival celebrating NVRD and the 3rd SJSU Votes Festival. This year, 24 partners joined SJSU Votes on the 7th St Paseo to engage the SJSU community and supply them with important information and resources regarding voter registration, the importance of voting, and opportunities for civic engagement on and off campus. Here is a link to a great article in the Spartan Daily about the event. SJSU Votes is extremely grateful for all of our campus and community partners; we could not have done it without their outstanding participation. We hope to see you all at our next festival!
SJSU Votes Presents Voter Registration and Education Workshop for the SJSU Men’s Basketball Team
SJSU Votes created and presented an educational and informative powerpoint presentation on voter registration and the 2022 November General Election to the SJSU Men’s Basketball Team. We explained the importance of getting students registered and mobilizing them to vote. SJSU Votes detailed how to register to vote, registration deadlines and requirements, how to return your ballot and how to track your ballot. We also briefly reviewed all of the state ballot propositions and the rules about college student registration. Thank you to the SJSU Men’s Basketball Team. Go Spartans!
San Jose District 3 City Council Forum
SJSU Votes and co-sponsors Associated Students SJSU, SJSU Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, SJSU Department of Political Science, CommUniverCity, and Downtown College Prep, held a San Jose District 3 City Council candidate forum via Zoom on October 28, 2022. Irene Smith and Omar Torres were the D-3 election candidates and our panelists. SJSU Votes and CommUniverCity held an in-person watch party for the Zoom event at Biblioteca Latinoamericana where we also tabled, handing out voter registration information. SJSU Votes students created a list of questions for the candidates that related to issues affecting District 3 including topics of rent control, housing availability, and crime. Students also asked questions about economic development and climate change initiatives. Thank you Irene Smith and Omar Torres for taking time to answer our questions and informing District 3 voters!
Boba and Ballots
SJSU Votes held a Boba and Ballots event on October 24, 2022, the last day to register to vote and receive a vote-by-mail ballot. At this event, SJSU students were able to practice voting and learned about voter registration and requirements from SJSU Votes students. They were also able to register to vote in time to receive a vote-by-mail ballot. After this date, voters would have the option to register using same-day, or conditional registration. This Boba and Ballots event idea came from Dr. Currin-Percival’s Pols 15 class which also helped with the SJSU Votes project in fall 2022. SJSU students received a free boba tea (a split cup with two flavors) and then practiced voting on their favorite flavor and on which actor was the best Spiderman. This event was a big success in helping to inform students about voting requirements and deadlines!
San Jose Mayoral Forum
SJSU Votes co-sponsored a San Jose Mayoral Forum via Zoom October 23, 2022 with Associated Students SJSU, San Jose Downtown Residents Association, SJSU Student Affairs, SJSU Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, and the SJSU Department of Political Science. The candidates, San Jose City Councilmember Matt Mahan and Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, answered questions focused on current issues affecting SJSU students, the SJSU campus, and downtown San Jose. The event was moderated by Dr. Mary Currin-Percival, SJSU Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of SJSU Votes. SJSU Votes students gained a lot of experience by helping to plan this informative event for the campus and the community. Thank you to the mayoral candidates, Supervisor Cindy Chavez and Councilmember Matt Mahan, for participating in the forum!