Performing Arts Center made voting easier for on-campus students

The Performing Arts Center has opened its doors to the Cal Poly community for concerts, theater productions and recently, Election Day.

On Nov. 5, the PAC served as one of San Luis Obispo’s official polling stations, where students were able to cast their ballots without leaving campus.

Heather Gray is the administration and special projects coordinator for the PAC. She says this opportunity was just another way to support the student body.

“We have a lot of first-time voters,” Gray said. “We have a lot of students registered for the very first time today, which is very exciting. At the Performing Arts Center, we are here to support campus in whatever way possible.”

The PAC became an official polling place last spring for the primary election this year, and this is the first time it has been used for a general election.

Music sophomore Mia Alexandra Flores says she was worried she wouldn’t be able to vote because her mail-in ballot never arrived.

“I was just like, ‘oh my gosh, where am I going to vote because I don’t have a car, the bus is going to take a while and I have classes today. Like, I don’t even know if I’m going to vote.’ And then I found out that the PAC was open for voting, and I was like, ‘oh, thank God,’” Flores said.

Chemistry senior Ariana Chavez was also grateful to have a polling place so close to her Poly Canyon Village dorm, as it made voting that much easier.

“Especially at least for like first years, they don’t have cars on campus, so it’s a lot more difficult for them to be able to travel downtown or even further than that to be able to go vote, and it’s just a lot more helpful because it’s like a two-minute walk to the PAC,” said Chavez.

The PAC was open until 8 p.m. on Election Day, with around 25 to 30 volunteer poll workers on each shift.

Gray said there was a surprisingly large turnout, especially for first-time voter registration. 

“We’ve had great turnout, many more voters than we thought we would have, which is a great problem,” Gray said on election day. “But we have everything we need, and we’re happy to support you.”

More information about the PAC’s upcoming events can be found at pacslo.org.