THIS PAGE TO BE UPDATED IN TIME FOR FALL 2024 ELECTIONS.
MOCK ELECTION 2020
Berkeley High School will participate in the Fall 2020 California Student Mock Elections along with hundreds of other schools. The results from our BHS Mock Election will be tabulated and submitted before the October 6th deadline when the entire state’s results will be released. BHS students will be asked to review most local, state, and federal items that would appear on a standard 2020 ballot for someone living within the City of Berkeley. The students will have access to resources and information ahead of time before submitting their vote via a Google Form ballot, similar to one used for student elections in the spring.
For more information on the California Student Mock Elections, click here.
FALL 2020 Election Resources
Ballot & Candidate Informational Resources
Gimme Props – Guide to CA State Propositions
League of Women Voters Election Resources
Ballotpedia – Sample Ballot
NY Times Interactive Guide to Voting (subscription should still be free for BUSD)
KQED Youth Media Challenge – Election Commentary
ELECTION DAY HOLIDAY RESOLUTION
More information forthcoming, but…
BHS Student Leadership is set to announce a resolution to proclaim the first Tuesday after November 1st as a school holiday to allow students to vote, work at polling places and drive others to vote without worrying about tardies and unexcused absences.
VOTER INFORMATION
If you are 16 or 17, you can PRE-register online to vote today!
The deadline to register online is October 19.
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration
Even if you are not allowed by the US Constitution to vote for this upcoming election, you can make a difference. Have conversation with those voting adults in your life about your opinions on the candidates and policies on the ballot.
And reminder, October 27 is the last day in the State of California to request a Vote by Mail Ballot. For more information about the 2020 Election, please visit the Alameda County Registrar of Voters:
https://www.acvote.org/election-information/elections?id=241#
Deadline to Return Completed Absentee Ballot:
Hand Delivered by Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020 8:00PM.
Finally, if you have requested a ballot and it has yet to arrive, please visit: wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov/
Some important info:
- You can vote as soon as you receive your ballot
- Just fill it out, using blue or black ink, and put it in the return envelope
- Be sure to sign your name on the back and seal the envelope
- Then put it in the mailbox. No stamps are necessary
If you choose not to mail in your ballot through the U.S. Postal Service, you can:
- Drop off your completed, signed ballot at one of the official drop box locations
- For a list of Alameda County locations, go here, and for Contra Costa County, click here
- You can also drop off your ballot at any polling place on Election Day
It’s a good idea to fill out your ballot early and mail it or drop it off in one of the official drop boxes. Getting your ballot in early will ensure that your ballot is among those counted by Election Night.
If you haven’t registered to vote yet, or you have moved, it is not too late to register! You can register to vote online here. If you are newly registering, the deadline to register online is Oct. 19, but you can register in person through Election Day. If you just need to change your address or want to check your registration status, go online here.
As our county elections officials have advised, it is safer and more convenient to complete your ballot in advance and mail it or drop it into one of the official drop boxes. However, if you really prefer to vote in person, please do not discard your mail-in ballot. Instead, bring it with you to your polling station on Election Day, Nov. 3. Bringing your ballot with you to your polling place will show that you have not yet voted and will make it easier for you to vote in person.
ELECTION SUPPORT
Apply to be a poll worker!
Will you be 16 by the November elections? Do you want to find a way to make sure every vote gets counted? Apply to be a poll worker! Even though California will be mainly voting by mail in November, some polling stations are required to stay open. If there aren’t enough people to work the polls, some will be forced to close. If this happens, it will be much more difficult for people who are relying on in-person voting. They would potentially have to rush to a polling station far away- and if they can’t make it in time, their vote may never be counted. With many older people who usually serve as poll workers are choosing to stay home this year due to COVID-19, there is a shortage of poll workers. This election, we need to show up. If we can’t vote, we need to make sure that those who are able to vote do. Sign up at www.pollhero.org and a high school or college student volunteer will connect you with Alameda county’s election official.
Follow @pollheroproject
The Alameda County Registrar of Voters (ROV) is preparing to appoint Student Election Workers to serve on the November 3, 2020, General Election.
Dear Alameda County High School Administrators, Students & Teachers,
We are following mandates from County and State COVID-19 requirements. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided during training and voting dates.Student Election Workers are in great demand as they are needed for their knowledgeable skills in laptops, printers, and tablets.
HS Election Worker Application
Your leadership in promoting participation on your campus is truly appreciated.Students can earn up to $475 for serving. If you have friends or family that are looking to earn extra money and community service experience, please pass on this high school application to them.If you are no longer a student in high school, you are still strongly encouraged to participate as your experience and tech-savviness will help as we introduce our new electronic voting system to our voters.The Student Poll Worker Program is truly a “Civics in Action” exercise.
High school students must meet the following criteria to participate:
Be age 16 or older on or before Saturday, October 31, 2020.
Have a GPA of 2.5 or greater
Have permission from a parent/guardian and a school administrator
Approval not needed for weekend hours from school
