Featured News Thread!:

Former Senator Patrick Johnston visited POLI 109 and spoke with students about his years in the California Senate. He shared lessons from running for office, managing campaigns, and navigating the realities of political life. #CAPE #UCMerced #Politics #LegislativeSimulation #UCM

Want to advocate on behalf of @UofCalifornia in Sacramento and Washington,DC? Now is your chance! Apply to be a @UCAdvocacy Student Ambassador! Apps are due Oct. 30. ucal.us/ucanapply #CAPE #UCMerced #UCAdvocacy #TeamUCAN

As midterms pick up, things can feel a bit overwhelming. Sometimes a small pick‑me‑up makes all the difference. Some of our CAPE Affiliates have friends who keep them busy all year long, and today those friends are here to send a little encouragement. #CAPE #UCMerced #pets

Join us for CAPE’s 2026 Election Watch Party! Come enjoy snacks, ballot games, and a space to follow the results together. This event will be on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7–9:30 PM in SSB 130. This event is open to all UCM students! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…. #CAPE #UCM

Congratulations to Mariel Garcia who is currently a field representative within Senator Anna Caballero’s office! Mariel previously interned in Senator Tim Grayson’s office during Summer 2025 as a member of the CAPE Legislative Bootcamp program. #CAPEUCMerced #UCMerced

UC Merced alumna Mayra Acevedo, class of 2014 and founder of her own immigration law firm, joined LLC students to discuss her career after UC Merced. Thank you, Mayra, for inspiring our students. #CAPE #UCMerced #politicalscience #Law #alumniinaction

Students in POLI 109 have officially kicked off this semester’s legislative simulation. At Friday’s 109 Mixer, students connected for the first time and began discussing their early strategies for the California Senate simulation. #CAPE #UCMerced #LegislativeSimulation #PoliSci

Join us for the Political Science Fall Kickoff on October 1 at Scholar’s Plaza. Students, faculty, and CAPE staff will gather for an evening of snacks, drinks, and conversation. We’re excited to have you join us! #CAPE #UCMerced #PoliSci

Meet Maliya! She's a first-year Political Science major, Economics minor, and a CAPE Civic Scholar working as a program assistant. She is excited to learn and grow through the CAPE program and looks forward to starting internships this year. #CAPE #UCMercedCAPE #UCMerced

Meet Joshua! He's a first-year Political Science major and a CAPE Civic Scholar working as a program assistant. He is excited about the learning opportunities he will have through the CAPE Program. #CAPE #UCMercedCAPE #UCMercedPolitcalScience #UCMerced

Congrats to Political Science Professor Christopher Ojeda and co-author who were featured in the latest issue of Political Behavior for their article, "The Health-Representation Gap: We Don’t Know Much But What We Know Is Concerning." #CAPE #UCMerced #Publication

Meet Ryan, a first year Economics, Political Science major, and CAPE Program Assistant. He is currently an intern on a state senate campaign and looks forward to continuing his education and political engagement within the CAPE Program. #CAPE #UCMercedCAPE #UCMercedPoliSci

Meet Bella DeHaro, a Political Science student who participated in the CAPE Legislative Fellows Program and spent the summer in Sacramento interning with Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. Congratulations, Bella! #CAPEFellowsprogram #CAPEUCMerced #ucmerced #polisci

Join us as UC Merced alumna Mayra Acevedo talks about her path in immigration law, the communities that shaped her work. This is an RSVP event, and lunch will be provided. RSVP: forms.gle/m5RZm2aCrZZqVZYG9 #CAPE #UCMercedCAPE #UCMerced #PoliticalScience #Law

Meet Jeremy Sivak-Dromi, a Political Science student who spent the summer in Sacramento as part of the CAPE Legislative Fellows Program, interning in Assemblymember Heath Flora’s Office. Congratulations, Jeremy! #CAPEFellowsprogram #CAPEUCMerced #ucmerced #politicalscience

Meet Olivia Cheng, a Political Science student who recently wrapped up an inspiring internship through the 2026 CAPE Legislative Fellows Program. Olivia has spent her summer internship in Senator Tim Grayson's Office. Congrats, Olivia! #CAPEFellowsprogram #CAPEUCMerced #ucmerced

Meet Lily Domer, a Political Science student who spent the summer at the State Capitol interning in Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris’s Office. Congratulations, Lily! #CAPEFellowsprogram #CAPEUCMerced #ucmerced #politicalscience #CaliforniaPolitics

Meet Maya Blue Levato, a Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics student and CAPE Legislative Fellow who spent the summer at the State Capitol interning in Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains’ Office. Congratulations, Maya! #CAPEFellowsprogram #CAPEUCMerced #ucmerced

Meet Emily Acosta, a Political Science student who spent the summer in Sacramento as part of the CAPE Legislative Fellows Program, interning with the Democratic Office of Communication and Outreach (DCO). Congratulations, Emily! #CAPEFellowsprogram #CAPEUCMerced #ucmerced

Kicking off the academic year with our Politics & Pastries dates for the semester! Join UC Merced's very own Political Science Faculty in the CAPE Office (SSM 130) from 10:30–11:30 AM for coffee, pastries, and conversations with Political Science faculty. #CAPE #ucmerced #polisci