The undergraduate student government is hosting a free concert featuring Talib Kweli on Friday to encourage students to register to vote in the upcoming midterm election.
“Our generation has gotten apathetic about the election,” said Undergraduate Students Association Council External Vice President Conrad Contreras. “We had to find other ways to get people excited.”
Like, a member of Pac Div, and Samahang Modern, a student dance team, will also perform at the concert, which will take place in the Ackerman Grand Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. The USAC External Vice President’s office and Cultural Affairs Commission are hosting the event. Contreras said in picking Kweli, the office wanted to choose someone who is knowledgeable about social justice issues.
In addition, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, who cannot seek reelection, will make an appearance at the event.
Admission to the concert requires wristbands, which will be distributed on the same day from Kerckhoff Patio at 4 p.m. Wristbands are limited, but priority wristbands will be given out to students who attended BruinsVote! events throughout the week, such as a debate Thursday among Bruin Republicans, Bruin Democrats and Bruin Libertarians. Students who volunteered to register student voters will also be given priority wristbands.
The External Vice President’s office hopes to register at least 2,500 new voters by Oct. 20, the deadline to register to vote, down from its initial target of 5,000. Contreras said the office decreased the number because the original target was unrealistic.
As of late last week, the office had registered about 1,200 voters, Contreras said.
Contreras said the office will continue educating voters and getting students out to vote on election day. The office plans to release its own voter guide online and off-line sometime early next week, he said.
Elections will take place on Nov. 4.
Compiled by Eu Ran Kwak, Bruin contributor.