UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State encourages all eligible students to register to vote in elections to participate in the democratic process. Voting in local, state and national elections is one of the most important responsibilities of an engaged citizen.
As Pennsylvania’s Nov. 2 general election rapidly approaches, Penn State urges students to fulfill their civic duty.
Key dates to know for the upcoming Pennsylvania election are as follows:
— Last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot: Tuesday, Oct. 26
— Election: Tuesday, Nov. 2. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In odd-numbered years like 2021, ballots rarely feature any election to a federal office. Instead, these elections typically decide county and municipal positions. The outcomes of these elections can have a huge impact on the day-to-day workings of the community and decide positions, such as County Commissioners, District Judge, Borough Council members and more. These are the officials that make decisions on issues such as affordable housing and rental properties, buses and transportation, parking, law enforcement, public safety, etc.
Request a mail-in ballot
Pennsylvania allows mail-in or absentee ballots for anyone registered to vote in the commonwealth without providing a reason. Mail-in ballot applications can be obtained online, or at the Center for Character, Conscience, and Public Purpose at 102 HUB-Robeson Center.
Students who don’t live near the precinct in which they are registered to vote can request an absentee ballot. Applicants must submit their driver’s license number or identification card number issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, as well as their name, address, phone number and email address.
Voting on election day
The outcome of elections can greatly impact on the day-to-day workings of your community. As a Penn State student, you may register to vote using your college address where you live for most of the year and where many issues have an impact on you while you live here.
Students who are registered to vote using their college address can learn where to vote at Vote411.org. All students who live on the University Park campus will vote in the HUB-Robeson Center.
Students who choose to vote in Centre County using a mail-in ballot, can drop off their ballot in the ballot return box outside of the HUB-Robeson Center.
For more information about registering and voting in another state, visit Vote.gov or Vote411.org.
Not sure if or where you’re registered to vote? Check your registration status in Pennsylvania or find out your registration status in another state.
For more information on how to vote, why to vote, and frequently asked questions related to voting as a college student, visit psuvotes.psu.edu.
The Center for Character, Conscience, and Public Purpose — a unit of Penn State Student Affairs — provides support and programming for "Get Out The Vote" efforts on campus and in the community.