Partnering with the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office to Empower Voters
The League’s partnership with the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office has never been stronger. For many years, we have supported the county’s voter registration efforts—recruiting new voters at community events and local high schools, staffing polling places on Election Day, and, more recently, joining forces to engage the next generation of voters through contests and the new Student Election Ambassador Program.
Reaching Students Where They Are
In the past, League volunteers visited high schools to share the history and importance of voting, then guided students through the voter registration process. In our most recent year, we registered or pre-registered more than 700 students—many just 16 years old. These visits were a two-way exchange: while we shared knowledge about the voting process, students introduced our volunteers to the ease of online registration.
Training and Serving at the Polls
We now collaborate closely with the Clerk-Recorder’s Office to train volunteers for Election Day. All poll workers complete multi-hour training to prepare for their duties. Our League is currently responsible for staffing five precincts across the county, ensuring a smooth and accessible voting experience for all.
Encouraging Civic Engagement Through Competition
Last year marked the launch of the High School Voter Registration Contest, a joint effort with the county to see which school could register the highest percentage of eligible students. Morro Bay High School earned the honor of being the first winner in this countywide challenge.
Launching the Student Election Ambassador Program
This school year, we are proud to support the inaugural Student Election Ambassador Program, making San Luis Obispo County only the second in California to participate—joining Marin County as a pioneer. More than 20 high school students will receive training directly from the Clerk-Recorder’s Office, learning how elections work and how to register their peers.
“Sometimes they have ideas that are far better than anything we have or that has been done,” said Erin Clausen, Public Information Officer for the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.
Tackling Signature Mismatches Among Young Voters
One motivation for the program comes from a concerning statistic: in the November 2024 election, over 40% of rejected vote-by-mail ballots were from voters ages 18–24, with 79% rejected due to signature mismatches. Election Ambassadors are taking on the challenge of educating their peers about the importance of signing their voter registration and vote-by-mail envelopes correctly.
Julie Rodewald, former SLO County Clerk-Recorder and current League volunteer coordinator for the program, emphasizes the long-term goal: “If young people vote in three of their first four eligible elections, they are more likely to become lifetime voters.”
Building Forever Voters
Through this new collaboration, the League and the Clerk-Recorder’s Office are not just encouraging participation—they are helping to create “Forever Voters” who will carry the habit of voting throughout their lives.