Through educational workshops and information sessions, a variety of organizations work together to share essential knowledge with prospective voters
By OLIVIA HOKR — city@theaggie.org
Yolo County hosted a Voter Education Workshop on Oct. 2 as well as a second informational session on Oct. 9 in Davis. These outreach and informational events are held in cities throughout Yolo County in their effort to encourage voter education and promote voter turnout for the upcoming election.
The Oct. 2 workshop was a collaborative effort between the Yolo County Elections Office and the Yolo County Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC). The goal of the VAAC is to maximize accessibility when it comes to registering to vote, receiving and filling out a ballot and finding crucial information regarding their local ballot measures.
Kate Laddish, the chair of the Yolo County VAAC, is committed to working with her team to increase voter knowledge surrounding important election steps.
“Voting is a fundamental right for citizens and is necessary for a functioning, participatory democracy,” Laddish said. “Having a disability or other access and functional need must never be a barrier to registering to vote and voting privately and independently. Voters are more likely to exercise this right when they have a solid understanding of registration and voting processes, options and accommodations.”
Along with providing essential information for all residents, the workshop also focused on ensuring that those who may require accommodations can feel confident in voting independently. It was also available to community members who are not yet 18 to give the next generation a head start in elections and voting knowledge.
Yolo County Assessor, Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Jesse Salinas is the head of the Elections Office. Salinas brought attention to the Voter’s Choice Act, which provides ballot drop boxes and in-person voting options ahead of election day and on election day.
“Yolo County adopted the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) in 2022, modernizing how we conduct elections,” Salinas said. “The VCA provides more days and ways to vote. This Voter Education Workshop will help voters understand all of the options available for how to make their voice heard.”
On Oct. 3, 4 and 9, sessions with Yolo County Empowering Residents Through Education and Registration took place. The Public Defender’s Office, Probation Office and Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections Office collaborated to inform residents of the voting process and their rights as voters.
Lucas Frerichs, the chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, emphasized the importance of empowering Yolo County voters.
“Empowering our residents through accessible voter education is vital to strengthening our democracy,” Frerichs said. “By collaborating across departments, we are ensuring that every Yolo County citizen has the opportunity to engage in the electoral process.”
Yolo County is going to great lengths to motivate voters by offering educational opportunities. Every resident should be able to feel confident in the voting process this season with the help of local organizations.
If you find yourself struggling to register to vote or are concerned about filling out a ballot for the first time, the Elections Office website presents detailed information on nearly all aspects regarding the election.
Written by: Olivia Hokr — city@theaggie.org
