Anjali Dalal-Whelan / News Editor 

Last week, USD Votes unleashed the power of the vote with a new tactic to draw interest in the primary elections: puppies. USD Votes hosted an event called “Professor’s Puppies and Primaries” on Thursday, Feb. 29. Professors brought their dogs to the space between Camino and Olin Hall, where USD Votes had a table set up.  There, students could register to vote, ask questions about voting and check their registration status. 

According to USD Votes, in 2020, nearly 80% of USD students voted in the presidential elections. As primaries are generally less popular, USD Votes was worried that voting would go to the dogs this semester, leading them to increase their efforts to encourage all eligible students to vote. 

Maddy Ago, a USD senior and member of USD Votes organized the event and explained the goal of drawing awareness to less attended elections. 

“We are out here with our professors’ puppies to help attract students and answer questions about the upcoming primaries, because they are definitely less talked about,” Ago said. “If people don’t vote in the primaries, then they don’t get a say in who they vote for in the November general elections, so it’s important to bring students out here.” 

California’s primary election will take place on March 5, along with 15 other states’ primaries, making it a significant day in the 2024 presidential election.

Senior and USD Votes member Kate Haarmann described the importance of this day. 

“Next Tuesday is the primary election for 16 states. It’s called Super Tuesday, and it’s California’s primary so we are trying to spread the word.” 

Many non-San Diego students choose to vote absentee by voting in their home states or cities, instead. Although the clock is ticking, Haarmann said that these students still have time to mail in their ballots. 

 “If you postmark your ballot by March 5, it still counts,” she added. 

 This year, USD’s Alumni Center will be a polling station, open to all San Diego residents. Students voting absentee can also drop off their ballots at the mail center on campus. 

Political Science Department Chair Dr. Casey Dominguez brought her dog Patty and described the choice students have about where to vote.  

“It’s always helpful to point out to students that they have to choose whether to vote at home or at school, but they can make that choice. Anyone can vote in San Diego if they want to.” 

As Dominguez described, students can vote as San Diego residents as long as they haven’t already voted in their home district. 

Dominguez stated that it is still possible for students to register to vote in San Diego.

“You can go to the Alumni Center any time between now and Tuesday [March 5], and you can register to vote and vote on the same day.”

Drawn in by the puppies, students stopped by to register or check their registration status. USD junior Sophie Viohl explained why she came to the table.  

“Voting is important, I think anyone who is eligible to vote should definitely vote and have their voice matter in the next election,” she said.  

While Dr. Evan Crawford’s Golden Retriever Ziggy Stardust almost stole the show, the focus of “Puppies and Primaries” remained fixed on the upcoming election, and the opportunities USD students have to make their voices heard. 

Students, professors and puppies had a ball at ‘Puppies and Primaries.’ Photo Courtesy of Emma Kate-Squires