Press Release

Contact: Dayne Lee 323-937-3718 dayne@krcla.org

Youth Leading the Way: UC Riverside College Students Win Inaugural KRC College Voter Challenge

Los Angeles – The Korean American Student Association (KASA) of UC Riverside won the Korean Resource Center’s inaugural “College Voter Challenge” by registering 91 new voters this past April. With 91 registrations, UC Riverside finished ahead of six other competing student organizations in Southern California including Pomona College’s Asian American Resource Center, which finished in second place with 78 registrations.

Below: UCR KASA staff pose for a group picture.

KRC opened up the College Voter Challenge to Korean American and Asian American Pacific Islander student associations across Southern California in order to increase voter registration and turnout rates among 2nd generation and younger Korean and Asian American citizens. Dayne Lee, Civic Participation Coordinator at KRC, said “Research shows that citizens who vote in consecutive elections at a young age develop a lifelong voting habit. The success of the College Voter Challenge shows that young community members are working hard to mobilize voters and lead the charge for affordable education and a progressive budget.”

Justin Hong, President of the winning UC Riverside Korean American Student Association, said “It is important for more Korean American college students to be registered to vote because the community needs a voice. As more Korean American students register, our community can be heard and obtain benefits and rights.”

UC Riverside students, KRC, and college students across the state are continuing to look for ways to mobilize the youth vote in 2012. KRC will be working to create opportunities and spaces for civic-minded college students throughout the upcoming election season. For more information, please contact Dayne Lee, Civic Participation Coordinator at the Korean Resource Center, at dayne@krcla.org or (323) 937-3718.

# # #