Mt. SAC Wins Ballot Bowl
By Jill Dolan
March 10, 2025 - 11:09 AM
Mt. San Antonio College was recently honored by the California Secretary of State
for registering the most students to vote as part of the 2024 California University
and College Ballot Bowl. Mt. SAC registered 699 students, the most out of any of the
state’s 116 community colleges.
Hosted by the California Secretary of State Students Vote Project, the Ballot Bowl
is a friendly competition where California Community Colleges, California State Universities,
University of California campuses, and independent colleges and universities compete
to register the most students to vote and showcase civic engagement efforts.
Associated Students President Dani K. Silva and Student Trustee Cesar Tlatoani Alvarado accepted the award on behalf of the college during a virtual ceremony held
in early March.Leading up to the general election in November 2024, Associated Students spread the
word about the importance of voting during registration drives and through social
media posts.
“This recognition is not just about numbers - it’s about the power of civic engagement
and the commitment of students across California to shape their own futures,” Silva
said during the ceremony. “Our success in registering the most in voters for California
Community Colleges isn’t just a victory for our campus - it’s a victory for democracy.
It shows that when young people are empowered, when they are given the tools, the
knowledge, and the motivation to participate, they show up. We use our voices and
we make a difference.”
Alvarado said during the ceremony that the Ballot Bowl initiative is a powerful tool
in ensuring that more students are not only registered to vote but understand the
impact of their participation.
“However, we know that there's still more work to be done,” he said. “We must push
for structural solutions that make voter registration an effortless part of the college
experience, including placing ballot boxes at every community college campus, making
voting as accessible as checking out a library book.”
Mt. SAC Board President Peter Hidalgo said he is incredibly proud of the students
who led this effort. “It is up to the entire college community to ensure that civic
engagement is not just encouraged but actively facilitated,” Hidalgo said.
