Voting Matters

Elena Jimenez ’26, registrar of voters for the USFVotes Team answers all the need to know questions regarding voting with us after a week of action packed activicties from National Voter Education Week. Elena is a thrid year politics major. Get to know Elena’s journey to becoming a USFVotes team lead along with important voting information!

Q: What led you to USF Votes and to becoming a team lead? 

Growing up in a family and nourished by a community where not everyone had the opportunity to vote, but all were impacted by laws, policies, and leadership at various power levels, I have always felt very stirred to act on my right to vote, an action I am very grateful for the possibility of. I also learned the value of civic engagement, an avenue of action that is open to all – citizens and non-citizens alike. Contacting local representatives, joining advocacy groups and protests, serving on boards and commissions (where possible) – each of these areas are fundamental manners of connecting one another to exercise voice and care for our communities. My journey to USF Votes, then, is guided always by the people I come from.

At the same time, I also recognize that many students in the United States often forgo our civic duty to vote. For many, experiencing barriers to exercise voice in the voting booth is a pervasive reality, blocking fundamental involvement in our communities, and leading to an inability to be well-represented in various places of residence. With the USF Votes team, I am appreciative of the opportunity to bridge young voters towards removing these disorienting challenges, with the aim that all voters – who may also be some of the first in their families to cast a ballot – feel confident in the process. 

It is essential, therefore, to note that each member of the team plays a critical role in bringing about this feeling of assurance and connection to civic engagement. From the voter engagement committee, which engages on a weekly basis with our USF community by way of regular Resource Tabling (come and find us in the UC1, every Tuesday, from 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM!) to the communications committee, which ensures that access to resources and announcements of efforts are consistently accessible, across our social media platforms, we each bring in our nuanced backgrounds, united by true care for those around us.

Q: What motivates you to encourage people to vote? 

Being nonpartisan does not mean being apolitical – while USF Votes operates from a nonpartisan angle, our team does so as we recognize the importance of being informed and involved in our political climate. Voice and action are incredibly mobilizing, and with an emphasis on voter education, it is critical to me to uplift this aspect of our focus. We all are built of a multitude of backgrounds and nuances of experience; when we bring each to the voting booth, we ensure dignity and representation exist at the foundation of leadership and policy-making. Bringing civic engagement to education and empowerment in the policy realm, therefore, are at the root of what motivates me to encourage my peers to vote.

Q: What would you say to those who don’t currently feel confident to vote? 

I hold a lot of empathy for those who I speak to who do not currently feel confident to vote, as well as those with increasingly lowered political efficacy. In a time where we are noticing straining aspects of our democracy, as well as seeing where those we elect into power do not always seem to be acting for the best interests of our fellow neighbors – on the local, national, and international scale – it may be challenging for some to see the value of a vote.

At the same time, I think it remains critical to note that we have a certain power and need to educate ourselves on what is going on around us. When you have questions, ask them, research more about the nuances behind what it is you are voting on, and remember that it’s completely alright to take some time to build confidence in the voting booth

Q: What are the essentials to be an informed voter?

Making plans to read what will be appearing on the ballot directly, researching propositions and candidates, from a number of angles, but particularly utilizing resources like the League of Women Voters or other nonpartisan voter guides. It is essential to be cognizant of bias, and gauge the meaning and rhetoric behind words offered to voters. If you have any questions, it is also incredibly important to ask them – from the registrar of voters to the USF Votes team, you can always find people who are here to equip you with knowledge, so that you can make an informed decision, rooted in education and civic engagement.

Q: When will we have the opportunity to vote next?

The next opportunity to vote is coming up! A number of states are holding statewide and local elections on November 4, 2025. Be sure to check your registration status, be aware of registration deadlines for your state/county of residence, and keep up to date with any updates on voting absentee or otherwise. If you have any questions, please contact USF Votes at usfvotes@usfca.edu.