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Electioneering on Campus

To: UC Santa Cruz Campus

From: Melissa Whatley, Director, Government and Community Relations

October 04, 2024

The next general election is a little less than a month away. Now is the time to make sure you are able to participate in this important civic activity on Nov. 5, 2024. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters starting October 7. In California, you can register online with the California Secretary of State’s office.

There will be a four-day, in-person voting center on the main campus at the Stevenson Event Center. The site accepts mail-in ballots and prospective voters may register and vote the same day. There will also be an in-person voting site at the Silicon Valley Campus in Room 2110. Both sites will be open from 9 AM Saturday, November 2nd through 8 PM on Tuesday, November 5th.  More information on elections and voter registration can be found on the Government & Community Relations webpage. 

Election season also brings robust campaigning
While we are glad to see our community is engaged with the various contests and topics, please note there are some legal restrictions on the University of California’s involvement in political campaign activities based on the status of the university as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and as a state entity.

Specifically, the university may not endorse/oppose (or contribute to) political candidates, nor may university resources (including university-paid time or equipment) be used for campaign purposes in connection with ballot propositions or measures. UC guidelines for participation in political and ballot campaigns can be found on the UCOP State Government Relations webpage. 

While it is important to ensure that voters are informed and engaged, it is also important to abide by University of California policies around the appropriate rules of “time, place, and manner.” We want to ensure fairness in our elections processes and that we are not using state resources or facilities for campaign purposes and that information is presented in a balanced manner.

To this end, state law and University policies (Policy on Speech and Advocacy and Policy on use of university properties), provide guidelines on how and where campaign materials may be posted on campus. Please also note that those wishing to post materials at certain locations must check with that location to ensure compliance with the posting rules and procedures of the particular location.

Organizations and individuals not affiliated with the university must also comply with the Regulations Governing Conduct of Non-Affiliates in the Buildings and on the Grounds of the University of California and may post and distribute materials only on bulletin boards designated for public use: outdoor kiosks and the interior of bus shelters. These areas will be cleared of all materials on a regular basis.

If you are seeking to hold forums or election events on campus and invite candidates or campaigns to participate, please contact the Government and Community Relations office.  There are certain rules and regulations that must be adhered to in order to ensure university-sponsored events are politically balanced, unbiased, and conducted for informational purposes only.

Thank you for helping to ensure a fair and balanced election.