SACRAMENTO – California Secretary of State, Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., has announced a partnership between California YMCA Youth & Government, a branch of the Los Angeles Metropolitan YMCA, and the Secretary of State’s Voter’s Choice Act Ambassador program to promote voter education leading up to the November 8, 2022, General Election.
“The YMCA partnership is a key component of our Voter’s Choice Act Ambassador program, which seeks to promote civic engagement and increase voter registration in hard-to-reach communities,” Secretary Weber said. “I am pleased to partner with them to enhance California’s efforts to provide eligible voters more convenience and flexibility.”
The YMCA has committed to a statewide partnership to serve as voter outreach and education centers at all 66 of their locations throughout California. Voter’s Choice Act Ambassadors hold events, promote voting information on social media, and reach out directly to voters on voting options in VCA counties.
“The California YMCA Youth & Government is honored to partner with the Secretary of State in our efforts to further voter education and participation in the 2022 elections. We are looking forward to engaging eligible teens to register or pre-register and vote in the upcoming elections, so their voices are heard” said Victor Domínguez, President & CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
The Secretary of State’s Office is also working in partnership with the California YMCA Youth & Government teens on the statewide “Y We Vote” project to help engage young voters to encourage voter awareness about voting options in their county.
Established by Senate Bill 450 (2016), the California Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) modernizes elections in California by allowing counties to conduct elections under a model which provides greater flexibility and convenience for voters. This election model allows voters to choose how, when, and where to cast their ballot by expanding in-person early voting, allowing voters to cast a ballot at any vote center within their county and providing secure ballot drop off locations throughout the county.
In addition to the YMCA, members of several other organizations have become VCA Ambassadors for voter education and outreach, including members of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Associated Students of the University of California Vote Coalition, California State Language Accessibility Advisory Committee, CHIRLA, NALEO Educational Fund, University of California, Merced, UCSF Student Life, Vivalon, UC Davis Associated Students, League of Women Voters of Marin County, Office of Government and External Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly Pomona, President of Student Senate at Chabot College. The YMCA is the first statewide VCA Ambassador partner for the Secretary of State’s office.