October 24, 2024

Dear CSU Community,

CSU is a national leader in strengthening democracy, and we work hard to cultivate our culture of civic engagement. As this critical election approaches, it is time to participate in the most foundational work of democracy: casting your vote. Below you’ll find everything you need to register and vote. As Election Day nears, let’s participate and make our voices heard!

For the past 15 months, our campus has hosted hundreds of dynamic events all aimed at deepening our understanding of democracy. We’ve come together for public forums and conversations with elected officials, inspiring authors, influential public figures, and thought leaders. Now we need to put everything we have learned into practice.

For faculty, staff, and students registered to vote in Colorado, ballots have likely arrived in your mailboxes. Students, many of you will be voting for the first time. Here is a list of resources to help navigate registration and voting in Colorado:

• Register to Vote or Check Your Registration: You can register and vote by visiting a Voter Service and Polling Center, either at the Lory Student Center, or at one of our community’s many other locations through Election Day, November 5. You can register online in Colorado until October 28 and still receive a ballot by mail.
• Voting Locations at CSU: CSU’s main campus Voter Service and Polling Center is open in the Never No Summer Ballroom at the Lory Student Center. A walk-up ballot dropbox is located outside the north entrance of the Lory Student Center. Both locations are open now through Election Day.
• Voting Locations for Larimer County: Find Voter Service and Polling Centers and ballot drop-off locations.
• Nonpartisan Voter Guides: The Blue Book has detailed ballot information; information on issues and candidates can be found in Colorado Public Radio’s voter guide; and the League of Women Voters offers recorded candidate forums and ballot issue pamphlets in English and Spanish.
• Accessible Electronic Ballots for Colorado Residents: Access the CSU Student Disability Center and reference the Disability Voting Guide.
• Multilingual Ballot Assistance: Find resources for translating your ballot into another language.
• Ballot Tracking: Sign up for notifications about your ballot’s status via phone, email, or text.

If you are voting in another state, visit CanIVote.org for guidance.

If you are not able to vote, you can play an active role in the democratic process by encouraging others to participate and advocating for the candidates and issues that matter most to you.

Remember, our commitment to civic engagement does not end at the ballot box. It’s a year-round endeavor. Following the election, let’s foster a respectful environment, regardless of the outcome. Let’s treat each other with grace and humanity, recognizing that our relationships are the foundation of our strong CSU community. Should you need support, access tips from CSU Health Network and know that student support resources and employee resources are available.

CSU’s institutional commitment to strengthening democracy will not end on November 5. This is just the beginning. Strengthening democracy is a university priority, and we will continue to welcome diverse speakers and integrate democracy into our academic programs, research, and community outreach.

Voting is a powerful expression of our values. The officials we elect and the state and local ballot measures we pass directly impact our lives. In our representative democracy, your vote shapes decisions that affect you and your community. Please use the resources provided here and at democracy.colostate.edu; have conversations across the political spectrum; encourage friends and family to get involved; and make informed choices. Now, more than ever, your vote counts.

Let’s unite to support democracy, and with our diverse perspectives, make our voices heard!

Amy Parsons
President, Colorado State University