2024 Super Tuesday at SMC
Santa Monica College (SMC) students, staff, and local residents came together to vote in the primary elections on March 5 on the main campus, not only to determine their nominee for the upcoming general election but also to weigh in on important legislation.
The faculty lounge at the Cayton Center served as a hub for both traditional voting and a convenient drop-off point for ballots. According to the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder, 76.14% of Los Angeles voters opted for mail-in ballots in this election, highlighting a significant preference for this method of voting over the more traditional vote centers.
Voters, like SMC student Brandon Benitez, found the on-campus drop-off box essential, stating, "I come here for school, I go to work, so usually I don't have the time to come and vote." He utilized his break to drop off his ballot.
The voting centers also attracted many non-SMC affiliates, such as local resident Bill Thill, who chose the campus ballot drop-off for its convenience. For Bill, SMC was appealing due to its proximity to his home and the lively atmosphere created by the presence of young people on campus.
Despite the popularity of drop-off and mail-in voting, others, like Andrew Tucker, an SMC student, were drawn to the experience of traditional voting. "Especially as a first-time voter, it is a good experience," Tucker said, “I didn’t know all the candidates, but I did try to do the best I could."
Despite the difference in backgrounds and voting methods, a common sentiment shared among those who took advantage of voting on campus was a lack of enthusiasm for the candidates, particularly those on the presidential ticket. This year’s primary election voter turnout rate was 24.67%, nearly 15% less than the 2020 election and 18% less than in 2016.
"I’m not excited to vote for the actual election in the fall,” said Emerson Meyer, expressing dissatisfaction with the presidential candidates as she chose to do a write-in instead of selecting from the listed candidates.
Other voters, like student Ray Nuñez, chose not to vote but did say that “it’s definitely good to have some political knowledge.” Nuñez said, “I live a decent life. I have the things that I need, so therefore, I don’t necessarily think of politics as much of a thing for me.”
In addition to voting for their party’s presidential candidates, California voters also had the chance to select their U.S. senator, district representative, and state senator and decide on various proposition bills, among other things.
For more details on Los Angeles County election information and results, visit the official election website.
