UC San Diego Students Show Civic Pride by Co-Sponsoring Oct. 13 Mayoral Debate

Carl DeMaio

UC San Diego students are organizing an issues debate between San Diego mayoral candidates Carl DeMaio and Bob Filner to be held Oct. 13 at UC San Diego.

“We want students to participate in the democratic process, and this event will give them a reason to get out and vote and have an impact on our local community,” said Kyle Heiskala, a member of UC San Diego’s Associated Students (AS).

The event, to be held at 3 p.m. in UC San Diego’s Price Center East Ballroom, is co-sponsored by San Diego 6 and is free and open to the public. The forum will air as a one-hour special at 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13 and will repeat at 9 a.m., Monday, Oct. 15 on San Diego 6-The CW.

“This election is important for our community, and we’re glad to give the candidates the chance to tell the people of San Diego where they stand on the issues,” said San Diego 6 News Director Jon Fischer.

Bob Filner

At the forum, which will be moderated by San Diego 6 news anchor Heather Myers, students will be able to directly ask both candidates questions. The topics of the discussions will focus on innovation, the economy, sustainability and civic engagement.

“This is a great opportunity for students to engage with the community and show their civic pride,” said Arshya Sharifian, founder and executive director of UC San Diego’s Student Organized Voter Access Committee (SOVAC).

SOVAC has played a major role in organizing the debate and has been working to get students involved in the 2012 election through voter registration drives and increasing the number of polling places on campus.

Sharifian partnered with representatives from UC San Diego’s Associated Students, Graduate Student Association and campus leadership to sponsor the Oct. 13 mayoral issues forum at UC San Diego’s Price Center East Ballroom. College Democrats and College Republicans are hosting the candidate’s respective green rooms, which will provide students an opportunity to interact with the candidates in person.

“Increasing student involvement is our goal and this debate is one of the best opportunities for students to get involved in the election season, ” Heiskala said.

For more information on SOVAC, go to facebook.com/StudentOrganizedVoterAccessCommittee.