Civic Engagement

Census 2020

The 2020 Census is happening now in cities, counties and states throughout the nation.

What is the Census?

The Census is a count of every person living in the U.S. The population data that results from this count is used to determine things like how to split up California's congressional districts and how to distribute federal resources, such as funding for some student financial aid, healthcare, housing, transportation and other important student services. The outcomes resulting from this data last for a decade. That's why the California Community Colleges are working to ensure all of our students, faculty, staff and their families are counted in the 2020 Census so that our communities reflect all who live here.

Important Dates

March 12–20: 2020 Census letters will be mailed, explaining how to complete the Census form·
March 16–April 3: Reminder notifications mailed·
April 1: Check your campus and community for Census Day activities·
April 8–April 27: Hard copy of Census form and final reminder notifications mailed.
April 28: At home, in-person follow-ups begin to households that have not filled out the Census

Visit CaliforniaCensus.org to complete your 2020 Census form today, or call 800-923-8282 for more information. The form will ask nine simple questions about you and the people who live in your home, including your name, age, phone number, race, sex and whether you rent or own your home.

Your information is safe. Be sure you include any person living in your household, family or not, regardless of citizenship status. With your help, we can encourage even more Californians to complete the Census form and shape our state's future for years to come!

Register to Vote

This page will allow you to register to vote by submitting an affidavit through the Secretary of State's online voter registration system.

Rock the Vote – How to Vote by State

If you are registered as an independent or No Party Preference (NPP), you may request a cross-over party ballot to vote in the Presidential Primary for any of the following parties: Democratic Party, Libertarian Party, American Independent Party. (Republican Party is a closed Primary so independents or NPP's cannot vote in it at all.)

Conditional Voter Registration

Eligible Los Angeles County residents who miss an election's registration deadline can still vote at any Vote Center in L.A. County. Under California Election Law, Conditional Voter Registration (CVR) allows a prospective voter to conditionally register and cast a ballot.

Find out more: Conditional Voter Registration.

Registration Status

Don't remember if you're registered to vote? Need to check what name you're registered under or what political party you're registered with?

Check your registration status online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.

Track Your Ballot

All California voters will be sent a vote-by-mail ballot with a prepaid postage return envelope for the November 3, 2020 General Election.

All voters can get critical updates on their ballots through California's official "Where's My Ballot?" tracking tool. Signing up takes lass than 3 minutes!

wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov

What you are able to track:

What it tracks You can select to receive notifications on the status of your vote-by-mail ballot by test (SMS), email, or voice call, including alerts if there are any issues with your ballot and instructions for how to correct them to make sure your vote is counted.

Important Dates

February 18, 2020 — Voter Registration Deadline (E-15)
March 3, 2020 — Primary Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before March 3, or turned in at a polling place by 8 p.m.
September (National Voter Registration Month)
September 22, 2020: National Voter Registration Day
October 23, 2020 — Voter Registration Deadline (E-15) / Ballot Bowl Challenge Ends
November 3, 2020 — Presidential Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3, or turned in at a polling place by 8:00 pm.
November 16, 2020 — Ballot Bowl Winners Announced.

SMC's Vote Center

1510 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405
Hour of Operation: March 3, 2020 Elections

Saturday (2/29/20), Sunday (3/1/20), and Monday (3/2/20): 8am-5pm
Tuesday (3/3/20)- Election Day: 7am-8pm

Find all LA County Vote Center Locations.

Student Opportunities

Serve as nonpartisan Election Protection volunteers

Anyone can sign up to help with one of the following efforts on Election Day and/or during the early vote period. It takes 2 minutes to sign up: fill out the form with your basic information, select your county, and then select from three volunteer options: (1) Poll Monitor, (2) Social Media Monitor, and (3) Textbanker.

Student Organizing and Activist Retreat (SOAR)

Sign up for the annual Student Organizing and Activist Retreat (SOAR). It’s a free three-hour training to learn how to plan an issue campaign, best organizing practices, action steps, media tips, and more. SOAR provides students the tools and resources to become better activists and advocates. Sign up Here

Resources

Students can drop off Vote by Mail ballots, cast ballots in person, request cross-over party ballots (Democratic Party, Libertarian Party, American Independent Party) and participate in same-day voter registration at SMC's voter center:1510 Pico Blvd., one block from campus.