On Oct. 1, the Chaminade University of Honolulu Student Government Association (CSGA) held a new voter event where students were assisted in registering to vote or could show proof that they are a registered voter in exchange for free ice cream. Chaminade’s student government filled the Silversword Cafeteria and the Student Center (The Loo) with tables, ice cream, music, and handheld whiteboards where students could write their reason for registering to vote.

Since CSGA receives federal funding from the federal government, the organization is required to put on at least two events during the academic school year. With the election happening on Nov. 3, CSGA decided to present a Voter Registration Day in hopes of raising Hawaii’s historically low voter turnout.

“Registering to vote is the first step to actually vote,” said Kevin Todd, the 21-year-old, Accounting major, and director of Finance for CSGA. “Once you do register and can vote, you have some say in your community at home and abroad in the country. You can exercise your rights as a citizen and have your voice be heard. If you were to speak up and vote, you would know over the next four years your voice was heard. You can have some influence on how things are going to be.”

The registration drive started at 5:00 p.m. and ended at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. CSGA said 60 students, made up of either newly registered voters or previously registered voters, attended Thursday’s event. When registering to vote, students needed to bring their cell phones to sign up, an identification card or state license for their license number, and their knowledge of the last four digits of their social security number. In addition to those, students also needed to provide basic information such as their full name, date of birth, email, and phone number. As for those who previously registered, they had to bring proof of their voter registration confirmation page.

CSGA head of Internal Affairs and Psychology major, Josephine “Fina” Iose is a newly registered voter who is excited to finally exercise her civil rights in this coming election since she just turned 18 and is now legal to vote.

“As a new voter, I hope to make other’s feel inspired to be outspoken and be independent when making their decisions and sticking by what they believe in,” the eighteen-year-old, Iose said. “This event [CSGA’s Voter Registration Drive] is another way for students to really exercise their rights as a newly pledged adult. Being able to complete your responsibilities as an adult shows that an individual is prepared to make a change.”

CSGA believes it is crucial that everyone including Chaminade students sign up and register to vote.

“Everyone should register to vote,” said Edward-James Adachi, the twenty-one-year-old, Environmental Studies major, and president of CSGA. “CUH students should vote because voting is a right that many people inside and outside of the U.S. do not get. We also live in a time where information is literally at our fingertips and we need to use it. There is a quote by Maya Angelou that I think will help students get the ball rolling. ‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.'”