UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With Election Day fast approaching, Penn State is urging students to register to vote ahead of key deadlines and make their voices heard in the upcoming election. Whether voting in Pennsylvania or another state, students can find resources and important information through PSU Votes so they are ready for Nov. 5.
PSU Votes, the University’s trusted resource for voter information, provides key information about registration, absentee and mail-in ballots, and polling locations. PSU Votes offers nonpartisan resources to guide students through the voting process.
Key dates to remember:
Students who are Pennsylvania residents can register to vote online, by mail or in person.
Eligible voters also can visit the Centre County Satellite Election Office in Hammond Building at University Park to obtain and drop off voter registration forms, register to vote online, or check their voter registration status. Voters already registered in Centre County can request a mail-in ballot in person, complete their ballot in privacy, and return the ballot to a secure drop box at the satellite office. For more information about the satellite office, including hours of operation and the services available, visit the Centre County Elections Office website.
For those voting in other states, PSU Votes provides links to the appropriate state resources for proper registration and ballot requests. Absentee and mail-in ballots must be requested and returned by the posted deadlines to ensure they are counted.
“We want every student to feel empowered to vote and participate in the democratic process,” said Kendall Mainzer, program coordinator of PSU Votes. “Your vote matters, and we’re here to help ensure you can exercise that right without confusion or barriers.”
As students prepare to vote in person, PSU Votes is also encouraging registered voters to verify their polling location prior to Election Day. Registered voters can only vote in person at their assigned polling location, which is tied to the physical address on their voter registration. Penn State students cannot vote on campus unless their registered address is assigned to the HUB-Robeson Center polling location.
In Pennsylvania, individuals who are voting at a polling location for the first time are required to show ID. PSU Votes recommends that everyone bring a valid ID to the polls, just in case. Most students use their Penn State student ID, voter registration card from the Elections Office, Pennsylvania driver’s license, or passport as ID. Visit the Pennsylvania voter information website for a full list of approved IDs in Pennsylvania.
If voting by mail, be sure to follow the ballot instructions carefully and return your ballot by mail or drop it off at designated locations. Only Centre County mail-in ballots may be returned to Centre County drop boxes. Mail-in and absentee ballots for other states must be returned by the voter through the mail.
For more information, visit psuvotes.psu.edu or follow PSU Votes on social media for the latest updates and reminders.