HARRISBURG – Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortés is reminding Pennsylvania college students of their voter registration options and deadlines for the Nov. 8 general election.
“Many college students are excited about voting in their first presidential election,” Cortés said. “We encourage them to be well-informed about their rights. Their first decision will be where to register and vote.”
College students have two options. Students attending any of Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities have the right to register and vote where they live and attend school now, whether that is an on-campus or off-campus address. Or, they can choose to register or remain registered and vote by absentee ballot at their prior home address, even if they have moved to a new county or a new state.
Comprehensive information about absentee ballots, including a downloadable request form, can be found at the Department of State’s Web site Everyone.votesPA.com. Applicants will be asked to supply basic voter registration information and to specify a reason for applying to vote absentee.
Tuesday, Oct. 11, is the deadline to register for the Nov. 8 general election. Applications for new registration, change of name, address or party affiliation must be submitted online at register.votesPA.com by midnight on that day. Traditional paper registration applications must be postmarked no later than Oct. 11.
Although the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Nov. 1, Marian K. Schneider, deputy secretary for elections and administration, encouraged students who plan to vote by absentee ballot to submit their applications as early as possible.
“Completed absentee ballots must be received by county election offices no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4,” Schneider said.
“Due to recent cutbacks in service by the U.S. Postal Service, anyone who is planning to mail their absentee ballot in that last week risks missing the deadline. We recommend mailing your absentee ballot request no later than two weeks before the election, or Oct. 25.”
Voters may also deliver their voted absentee ballots in person to county election offices.
Cortés said the November election is expected to generate the usual high interest due to the presidential race.
Pennsylvania voters will also be electing a U.S. Senator, as well as the statewide offices of attorney general, auditor general, and treasurer. The state’s congressional seats, all state House seats and state Senate seats with odd-numbered districts will also be on the ballot.
Individuals wishing to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election must be:
- A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election.
- A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which the individual desires to register and vote for at least 30 days before the election.
- At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the election.
Eligible citizens can find comprehensive voter registration information, apply for a new voter registration or make changes to their existing registration at register.votesPA.com.
The Department of State’s website Everyone.votesPA.com, available in English or Spanish, offers printable voter registration applications, a polling place locator and county boards of elections contact information. It also includes tips for first-time voters and members of the military.
In addition, voters can familiarize themselves with the voting system they will use in their home county on Election Day.
For more information on voter registration, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visitVotesPA.com.
