With early voting underway and Election Day still a week away, CNN political commentator Van Jones told Cal State Fullerton students that character matters in candidates as they cast their ballots in the 2024 election .

Jones responded to a student's question about the candidates' character following his talk Oct. 24 at the inaugural “Behind the Ballot” civic engagement event presented by Associated Students Inc. and the Division of Student Affairs.

“I think character is important. I think the country has to make a choice, and whatever choice the country makes, we have to live with it.”

Behind the ballot is a civic engagement event aimed at informing and educating college students through a question-and-answer dialogue with a political influencer.

The Yale-educated attorney, Emmy Award-winning producer and author of three New York Times bestsellers answered questions from student moderator Kayla Lam during the evening program, followed by questions from students in the audience.

Jones discussed his childhood, his work as a civil rights activist and his professional success. He addressed topics such as civic engagement, the benefits of civil discourse and the importance of voting.

Voters registered to vote in Orange County can vote in person at the Titan Student Union Voting Center starting Saturday, November 2nd. The on-campus voting center will be open daily through November 5th.

Lessons behind the ballot

Alexis Cuevas, a research associate in ASI's Department of Student Programming and Engagement, was among the students who attended the event.

Cuevas, who is pursuing a master's degree in higher education education, said Jones' message about the importance of voting resonated with her because the results of local policies and locally elected candidates directly impact students.

“With the election approaching, it is important to discuss civic engagement as our country is divided,” said Cuevas, a first-generation college graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from CSUF in May. “Many people associate themselves with one side or the other, so encouraging civic engagement and getting students to vote for the future they want is critical.”

When asked about college students' indifference toward voting and whether their votes counted, Jones shared a lesson about the 2000 presidential campaign between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Jones emphasized that Bush won the election by just 537 votes.

“I won't lie. There is a very hard truth about voting. You can’t vote and get everything you want,” he said. “If you want to make a community successful, voting is one of the many things you have to do.”

Lam, a business major and ASI program and events coordinator, asked Jones what students can do when they feel overwhelmed and are having difficulty understanding confusing ballot propositions and candidates for office.

Jones recommended college students find “a source they respect” for information, such as voter guides for political parties. Voting is not a test, he added: “If you just don’t know, you can leave it blank.”

He also urged students to get involved in their communities as they are the ones who will benefit the most. He spoke about his work passing bills, as an advocate for people who have been wrongfully incarcerated, and as an activist for miners who have lost their pensions and health.

“It’s impossible to volunteer, engage and contribute without getting much more out of it,” he said. “You will never make the world perfect, but you will grow your heart, your mind and your network of people.

“To solve problems you need people who don't look like you, don't pray like you, don't love like you. You have to work with people who are completely different.”

From rural beginnings

Jones talked about his childhood and humble beginnings in rural Tennessee. He stated that his parents, both educators, were born in the segregated South. His father joined the military to escape poverty and earned a degree.

After high school, Jones attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he studied communications and political science and enrolled at Yale Law School in 1990.

“I have come a long way. “My father started with nothing and gave me everything,” he said.

Jones said his mother always told him he could do anything. He encouraged students to put aside doubts and move forward to achieve their goals.

“What I’m saying is no pressure, no diamonds. The struggle is what will make you great. It is your ability to overcome that makes your story special.”