Voting sites open at LBCC

Rain stayed away as voting centers across Long Beach City College campuses officially opened Saturday Oct. 31, kicking off a critical four-day window for students and community members to cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 general municipal election.

The campus sites joined hundreds across Los Angeles County for voters to cast their ballots in person.

“We are setting up the flag to allow people to know that this location is open for voting,” Meng Yang, a Long Beach City College alumnus who majored in automotive technology and linguistics, said.

Although Yang is serving as a first-time election poll worker, he has always been interested in civic engagement.

“I used to serve on the student council here at LBCC,” Yang said.

Yang explained that both the United States and the State of California flags will be displayed to notify the community that the campuses are officail voting location sites.

Campus voting centers will remain open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 2. and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

^{A sign posted outside the T-Building at Long Beach City College’s Liberal Arts Campus Saturday, October 31, 2026 warning anyone from the public about electioneering prohibitions. Voting sites opened at both campuses for students, faculty, staff and community at large to participate in the voting process. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

Viking News reported on election-related activities on campus leading up to Election Day, beginning with the League of Women Voters’ October visit to educate students and community members through a review and discussion of ballot measures.

Amanda Oshita, a Long Beach City College alumna who voted early at the Liberal Arts Campus Saturday, said voting is an important decision for a person to exercise as a civic duty and to participate in the voting process.

“It was nice to get it done early,” Oshita said.

^{Amanda Oshita, a Long Beach City College alumna, traveled from Ontario to vote at Liberal Arts Campus on Saturday, Oct. 31. Oshita is currently pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy after earning three associate degrees from LBCC and a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Long Beach.(Diosa Hippolyta)}

Oshita explained that civic engagement is important, but it has been on-and-off for her due to her schedule, and graduate school where she is earning a doctorate in physical therapy.

Oshita said community college students may be focused on classes and figuring out their futures, which can take priority over voting.

“I know a lot of students have different priorities until they get older, but I think they should look into it,” Oshita said.

According to Samuel Oum, lead at LBCC’s TTC voting site, most voters have been community members, with few students participating despite Saturday classes being in session.

This week may bring rain and severe weather, but “We will be open,…rain…shine, we will be open,” Oum said.