Office of Civic Engagement

Meet Zarai Aquino

Zarai AquinoWhat is your major and class standing?
I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in Organizational Leadership.

In addition to this CVP Democracy Fellowship, how else are you involved on CSU's campus?
I take courses through the CSU and Lorain County Community College University Partnership, meaning I take courses at both schools. This Democracy Fellowship will be my first campus involvement activity at CSU, but I still serve as the Student Senate President at Lorain County Community College.

What made you interested in becoming a Democracy Fellow?
I was part of the Ohio Campus Compact Safe Elections Project during the summer of 2020 as a Student Recruiter. I truly enjoyed the experience and really valued what I learned. When I came across the CSU Democracy Fellowship, I viewed it as an opportunity to apply what I learned during my time as a Student Recruiter over the summer. I believe this Fellowship will allow me to continue to educate others on civic processes, and its importance in communities.

What would you say to someone who tells you their vote doesn't matter?
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To someone who believes that their vote doesn’t matter, I would begin by stating the following, we are expected to obey the laws our leaders make, shouldn’t we have a say in selecting who those leaders are? I would also explain that voting is our RIGHT and exercising that right is crucial. Not everyone has always had the right to vote, including African Americans and Women, and many individuals lost their lives so others could be granted this basic human right. Voting is the system by which we are permitted to exercise our voice. Whoever chooses to not exercise their right to vote should pause and think about voting next time a law is passed they disagree with.