Lt. Gov. John Garamendi joined forces with the California College Democrats today in an effort to break the record of young voters registered in one day.

The statewide voter registration drive is happening at 20 campuses in California today. The goal is to register 10,000 college-age voters.

By 1 p.m., the group registered 35 people to vote. Registration will continue until 5 p.m.

Garamendi encouraged students to vote during the noon hour.

A very important presidential election is coming up, he said.

“That election is crucial, and these young men and women have a lot at stake in it,” he said. The democrats and republicans have very different views on issues, such as environmental protection, climate change, the war in Iraq, education, and health care,” he said. “And those issues will be important to students’ futures.”

“We hope they vote, and hope they vote Democrat,” Garamendi said. He will be making an announcement in a few weeks about which Democratic candidate he endorses, he said.

Senior business major John Khoury was taken to the registration table by Garamendi personally. Khoury said he had been trying to avoid the College Democrats, and unwittingly walked right into the lieutenant governor. Garamendi put one arm over Khoury’s shoulder and told him today was the day to register.

Eddie Kirby, treasurer of the campus democrats at Sacramento State and membership director for the CCD, said Garamendi is engaging people who wouldn’t necessarily engage with the College Democrats.

“He’s got a lot of influence on state policy, and it’s not every day students get the opportunity to meet with somebody who can really affect change,” he said.

Junior Nelly Hayatghaib, director of membership for the club, said young voters broke the voting record last election.

“We want to keep that up,” she said. “We’re young and we have such a voice. It’s imperative to speak up so people’s rights are not trampled.” Things like freedom of speech and privacy rights are ideals others died for, and those deaths are in vain unless students stand up for them, she said.

“The young democrats here and across the state are really doing a service for this democracy,” Garamendi said. “…I congratulate them.”

Lacey Waymire can be reached at [email protected].