LA celebrates Voter Registration Day

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Election Day is just six weeks away and more than six million Californians still are not registered to vote.

Organizations across Los Angeles launched a campaign today--National Voter Registration Day--to combat voter apathy and get out the vote.

Volunteers registered Metro riders Union Station and students in LAUSD high schools and at college campuses across Los Angeles.

Michael Varela is a field organizer for Voto Latino. He spent his afternoon signing up students at the University of Southern California.

"It's our biggest voter registration day so far, and actually for our entire campaign," Varela said.

Voto Latino registers all voters, but Varela says getting out the Latino vote is especially important.

"A candidate in some instances is a lot better for the Latino community, but because we didn't get out and register and vote, we're stuck with a legislator or a policy that isn't as beneficial to us."

Today's flagship L.A. event was held at another college campus--CSU Los Angeles.

Students at both campuses were excited to get registered.

"I just registered to vote for the first time actually," said Michael Marto. a CSU-LA sophomore. I feel pretty good. I've never voted before, and I've always wanted to--since I was little."

"I didn't have time to mail the form, so when I heard her ask, I thought this would be an easy and convenient way to to do it, said USC sophomore."

Matt Gonzales is a CSU-LA student and a legislative affairs representative for the student group that sponsored today's event.

He says it's not just the presidential election that is bringing young people out--some are driven by issues specific to students.

"Specifically for CSU students, Proposition 30 is going to be a very important proposition for us to look at."

Gonzales says the goal for today's campaign is to register 50,00 voters in Los Angeles.

Beginning last week, Los Angeles voters can now register to vote online (at lavote.net), through the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk's office.

"We've taken a process--voter registration--which is easy--and made it even easier," said Efrain Escobedo, governmental affairs manager for the department.

California's registration deadline is October 22nd

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