Local government candidates stressed the importance of voting for students and the entire community during the voter education forum Sunday at Sacramento State’s Alumni Center.

Associated Student’s Inc.’s Office of Governmental Affairs and the nonprofit group United Latinos hosted the forum to provide students with information about civic engagement and political involvement, said Laura Gonzalez, director of the Office of Governmental Affairs.

“It’s an opportunity for them to network with community organizations. When you graduate from Sac State or from any college, you want to get involved with the community,” Gonzalez said. “Even if you’re not going to be living in Sacramento, it’s a good way to network; it might lead to other things.”

Among the people in attendance were candidates for Sacramento County sheriff candidates Jim Cooper and Scott Jones, along with candidates for the Arden Arcade City Council, SMUD board of directors, insurance commissioner and 3rd and 5th Congressional districts.

Most of the speakers focused on voting by the Latino community, which they referred to as the “sleeping giant” in national politics.

“We need every vote across the entire community. This is not about Democrats or Republicans; it’s about the people in this community rising up,” said Congressional candidate Ami Bera. “This sleeping giant has to be awoken. That is the only way to have your voice heard, it is the only way to get representation.”

Only a handful of students attended the forum. Most of the people in attendance were the candidates and members of United Latinos.

“We’re few here today, but all of us have our networks, we can talk to our friends and family, get people to understand the importance of this election, the importance of the Latino vote and Latinos in general not to be regarded as a sleeping giant,” said Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont, keynote speaker of the event.

The sheriff candidates both said they would work to give people from minority groups a better representation in the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.

“In 161 years in the sheriff’s department, there has never been a Latino captain or above that rank,” Cooper said. “That’s gotta change … I’m going to change it.”

Although a lot of students did not show up to the forum, this is just the first of many that the United Latinos are hoping to have as an annual event, said Mauricio Leiva, president of the United Latinos’ board.

“As far as the voter information forum, this is the first one that student government has gotten involved in, but we really wanted to make an extra effort to encourage students to come because you should be knowledgeable of what you’re voting on, not only that but you’re getting it from the candidates’ mouth what they’re going to do for you,” Gonzalez said.

There were not any students at the forum. Gonzalez said students should attend forums like this because they will make the candidates feel the pressure from students and realize the importance of higher education.

“The more we show up to certain events to where we have access to candidates or even people who represent us in government, the more that they’ll consider our voice in what they do,” she said.

Cayla Gales can be reached at [email protected].