31 Oct From Titan Walk to Ballot Box: How to Make Your Voice Count in November’s Special Election
- ASI and student organizations are helping Cal State Fullerton students turn civic awareness into action through voter education and engagement.
- Hosted by ASI’s Lobby Corps and the Political Science Student Association, the event guided students through voter registration, Proposition 50, and redistricting reform.
- Student leaders are continuing their advocacy beyond Election Day, connecting civic participation to local and statewide policy influence.
This fall, Cal State Fullerton students aren’t just hitting the books; they’re hitting the ballot box.
Amid one of the state’s most intense and unpredictable election seasons, Oct. 20 marked the final day to register to vote online and in person. This year’s special election places a spotlight on gerrymandering and redistricting, two issues that determine how political power is distributed across California.
The November 2025 Special Election was called to address ongoing disputes over congressional boundaries. In response, Associated Students Inc. (ASI) hosted Map Your Voice, a campus voter education event aimed at turning civic awareness into action.
Understanding Prop 50 and Redistricting Reform
Chief Governmental Officer Tyler Gibbs and Lobby Corps Commissioner Berto Serrano host a table during ‘Map Your Voice’, providing students with resources and information about the upcoming election. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
At the center of this year’s Special Election is the much-debated Proposition 50, also known as the Election Rigging Response Act.
“The act could significantly impact Fullerton by redrawing congressional maps and potentially shifting representation in favor of one political party,” said ASI Lobby Corps Commissioner Leah Allari. “Campus advocacy matters; many students don’t realize how this proposition affects them.”
Prop. 50 proposes a temporary redrawing of congressional district maps to address representation concerns following Texas’s mid-decade redistricting.
“Our job is to present both sides, what supporters and opponents say, so students are equipped to make informed decisions,” Allari said. “Our focus is on empowering students with information, so they understand the impact of their vote, especially in a critical election like this one.”
The stakes are high. According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), 56 percent of Californians believe the state is headed in the wrong direction, while 70 percent say the same about the nation.
These figures reflect growing public frustration, which analysts say makes civic participation more urgent than ever.
Map Your Voice: Student-Led Education in Action
A ‘Map Your Voice’ poster served as an informational display for students. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
To help students cut through the noise and misinformation surrounding the election, Map Your Voice created an interactive environment focused on accessible political education.
Led by ASI’s Lobby Corps Commission in collaboration with the Political Science Student Association (PSSA), the event featured stations where students could check their voter registration status, learn about ballot measures and engage in peer-led discussions about how redistricting affects everything from representation to education funding.
Titan Prop 50 ballot guides were provided on campus, helping students make informed decision before Nov. 4. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
“Our collaboration with ASI was important because it allowed us to engage more with students in conversations about politics and civic participation,” said Abigail Allen, PSSA’s media relations coordinator. “PSSA’s entire mission is to empower students by creating spaces for open discussion and connecting current political issues like Prop. 50 to students’ lives because every vote is a voice.”
The Lobby Corps, a student-run advocacy group within ASI, is known for its year-round commitment to civic engagement on campus. Its goal is to help Titans understand that decisions made at the ballot box directly impact their everyday lives.
“Our goal was to increase student awareness and civic engagement by encouraging voter registration, checking registration status, and highlighting the importance of participating in the upcoming election,” Allari said.
By turning abstract policies into real conversations, Map Your Voice brought the democratic process closer to home for CSUF students.
Civic Engagement Beyond Election Day
ASI’s 2025–2026 Student Government Board poses at their induction ceremony. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
While voter registration was the focus of Map Your Voice, ASI’s commitment to student advocacy runs year-round.
Through initiatives like ASI Student Government Elections and the California Higher Education Student Summit (CHESS) in Sacramento, Titans are given opportunities to directly influence policies that impact their education and campus experience.
“One of our key annual initiatives is CHESS, where we take students to Sacramento to advocate for Titans,” said Allari. “With ongoing budget challenges, it’s vital that lawmakers hear directly from students about how funding impacts campus life.”
At the forefront of these advocacy efforts is the ASI Lobby Corps Commission, led by Chief Governmental Officer Tyler Gibbs and commissioners Berto Serrano and Allari. This team ensures that student voices are considered in policy decisions that affect the CSU system and beyond.
Building a Culture of Empowerment
Students at ‘Map Your Voice’ explored informational booths and posed for photos, reflecting increased engagement and awareness of civic participation opportunities. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
Even as registration deadlines loomed, the ASI Lobby Corps made it a mission to ensure students had every opportunity to make their voices heard. Through on-campus outreach and voter registration efforts, the team worked to turn awareness into action.
“Though we had limited time, we knew this event was essential, especially as registration deadlines approached,” said Allari. “Oct. 20 was the final day to register, and we wanted to make sure our community was part of that movement.”
Through workshops, campus partnerships and hands-on political engagement, the ASI Lobby Corps is demonstrating that civic education doesn’t have to be out of reach; it can be student-driven and impactful, beginning right here on campus.
Make Your Voice Heard
ASI Student Leaders engage with student voters, sharing information about the significance of their vote. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
This November’s Special Election is more than just a ballot; it marks an important moment for voters to influence the direction of representation and politics in California.
Your voice matters, and it’s needed now more than ever. Whether it’s learning about Prop. 50, sharing information about how congressional district maps are drawn, or supporting initiatives for higher education funding, your vote helps shape important decisions.
Here’s how you can take action:
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Double-check your voter registration at registertovote.ca.gov. Eligible citizens can also register and vote in person on Election Day.
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Utilize campus resources and peer discussions to learn more about Prop. 50, the measure on this year’s ballot.
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Vote early or on Election Day, November 4. The Titan Student Union will be open as a voting center for all Orange County residents beginning Oct. 31.
This fall, don’t just walk the Titan Walk, walk it all the way to the ballot box.
This is your voice, make it count.