UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As the Nov. 4 local and statewide election nears, Penn State encourages all eligible students, faculty and staff to register, know their options, and vote — whether in Pennsylvania or in their home state. Penn State Votes, the University’s nonpartisan voter-information initiative, provides reliable guidance to help the Penn State community participate with confidence.
Local elections often shape the everyday environment in which students live and learn. Officials on municipal councils, school boards, county commissions and other bodies make decisions about public safety, roads, housing, utilities, zoning, education and other services that directly affect quality of life. When students vote, either locally or using a mail-in ballot, they help shape policies that influence their communities now and in the future.
Key dates for Pennsylvania voters
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 20
- Deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot: Oct. 28
- Last day to return a mail-in or absentee ballot (received by 8 p.m.): Nov. 4
- Election Day (in-person voting, polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.): Nov. 4
For students who live outside Pennsylvania or are registered elsewhere, Penn State Votes offers state-by-state resources and deadlines.
Voting choices for students in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, students may choose whether to vote in their home district or where they attend school. This flexibility allows students to engage in the civic life of the place where they live during the academic year or maintain ties to their hometowns. Regardless of choice, Penn State Votes helps eligible voters understand registration rules, absentee and mail-in procedures, and how to complete ballots properly.
Penn State Votes: A trusted nonpartisan resource
Penn State Votes offers comprehensive, nonpartisan assistance on voter registration, absentee and mail ballots, polling locations, permissible ID, and state-specific rules. Penn State Votes does not support any candidate or party but instead seeks to remove logistical barriers so that eligible voters can participate. Penn State faculty and staff can also find resources to help support eligible students feel empowered to register to vote and cast their ballot.
Penn State community members are encouraged to:
- Confirm their eligibility and submit voter registration before the deadline
- Identify their polling location or ballot return option
- Ensure they meet identification requirements when voting in person
- Follow county-specific instructions for ballot return or drop-off, where permitted
To stay up to date with reminders, guidance, and resources, visit psuvotes.psu.edu.