UIW Welcomes Mayor of San Antonio to Encourage Students to Become Registered Voters

On Monday, Feb. 2, the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) invited the Cardinal community to become registered voters at their Voter Education and Registration Drive in preparation for the March 2026 Texas primary elections. February 2, marked the last day that Texas residents could register to vote in the upcoming elections.

Wanting to ensure that UIW students could make their voices heard, the ECCLS invited multiple voter registration groups and Volunteer Deputy Registrars (VDRs) to the Broadway campus to assist with new registrations and status updates, while providing functioning practice voting machines to simplify the experience at the ballot box. Additionally, the ECCLS partnered with organizations including the League of Women Voters San Antonio (LWVSA), the San Antonio Filipino American Chamber of Commerce (SAFACC) and several other supporting community organizations to inform attendees about the significance of this election and the importance of their participation as voters.

UIW was honored to welcome the Mayor of San Antonio, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, to the event. UIW students were invited to participate in a Q&A-style session to engage in conversation as informed and enlightened citizens. The session was emceed by Abigail Allen, UIW senior, Political Science major and ECCLS Student Coordinator.

"I believe in our institutions, and I know that our institutions work, but they work when you use your voice, and you use your voice at the ballot box," expressed Allen. "That's what we're here to discuss today: the importance of your civic responsibility and how you can impact the community around you. That's why it's an honor to introduce Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones who is here to talk about the importance of community leadership and civic engagement."

UIW Student Government Association (SGA) President, Tyler Simmons, along with his UIW SGA representatives, joined the event to address its significance at the present political moment.

"When leaders like Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones take the time to come to our campus and meet directly with students, it reminds us that what happens here today matters," noted Simmons. "Her presence energizes this campus and reinforces that student voices at UIW are seen, valued and worth hearing. Registering to vote is one of the first ways we take ownership of our future beyond college."

Before the session, the UIW community was able to wish Ortiz Jones a belated birthday, as her birthday was Sunday, Feb. 1. The ECCLS presented the Mayor with a cake, bouquet of flowers and a balloon as attendees serenaded her with the birthday song. Ortiz Jones was eager to speak with the UIW community, as generations of Americans stared back at her, eager to make an impact in their state and nation.

Ortiz Jones asked audience members for a show of hands as to who was registered to vote, and nearly every hand was raised into the air. A proud smile spread across her face at the demonstration. Recognizing that the event's purpose was to register voters, she encouraged the event be moved to the UIW cafeteria, seeking to find other UIW students to register.

"What I'm trying to accomplish today is to encourage folks that haven't registered to vote to register because today's the deadline," noted Ortiz Jones. "So, we're going to move this party to your cafeteria area, ask people 'who hasn't registered to vote,' and then we're going to get them registered. Because I can talk to you, but you've already done what you need to do, which is great, and thank you for doing that! But we only have a couple of hours left to make sure we register people."

The crowd, led by Ortiz Jones, moved to the UIW cafeteria, where the Mayor greeted and talked with students one-on-one. Many students asked her questions and reassured her that they were registered voters, ready to cast their votes. While Ortiz Jones, helped to direct unregistered students to resources that could help them get registered before the deadline.

It was a day that showcased the UIW community's commitment to shaping a greater future through one voice at a time.

"We know that many of our students are excited to get involved and get engaged, and sometimes they don't know what to do or how to do it. This is one way to do it: to make their voices heard," said ECCLS Director, Ricardo Gonzalez, EdD. "We're glad that the Mayor was here and excited to get students to register to vote."