how to actually vote
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Question 1
Are you registered to vote in Pennsylvania?
Yes, in the same county as my college or where I’m currently living.
Yes, but in a different county than my college or where I’m currently living.
We totally believe you but it doesn’t hurt to double-check here, right?
If that’s the case — confirm here — you’ll need to vote absentee. We’ll get to that in a second!
Next Question ↓
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GLOSSARY
Polling place: a designated location for registered voters to go vote during an election, often schools or community centers.
Voter registration: a requirement that an eligible voter must adhere to in order to be permitted to cast their ballot in local, state, and federal elections.
Early voting: the ability to vote in person before Election Day at a designated early voting location.
Absentee ballot: a vote cast by an eligible voter who is unable to attend their official polling place on Election Day, usually sent by mail.
Down ballot: relating to a role or position that requires voter selection but commonly further down the ballot; often local or low-profile positions with equal importance to federal positions.
Voter ID laws: state-specific laws that may or may not require eligible voters to bring identification to vote in person.
Voting plan: a concept for eligible voters to prepare for casting their vote, including identifying any barriers or roadblocks that may cause them to not be able to cast their vote (access to polling places, early voting and absentee ballot deadlines, available time off to cast their vote, etc.).
Local ballot measures: local laws that need to be voted on by eligible voters directly in order for potential policy changes to pass or fail.
Poll worker: qualified officials residing in the county that are responsible for overseeing a fair and orderly voting experience at their polling place. Volunteer to be a poll worker this Election Day!
THE GEN Z GUIDE TO VOTING
Honestly, I’m not sure where I’m registered?
No, I’m not registered to vote.
TIP: You can register to vote in your home state or — for out-of-state college students — your college state, but not both! Make sure to confirm where you’re registered now so you’re not in for any surprises!
No problem! Check your registration status here to find out where you can cast your vote
this year.
The deadline to register in Pennsylvania was October 21, but let’s get you registered to vote in PA for future elections here! Not sure why your vote matters? Learn about the importance of making your voice heard here.
In person on Election Day!
Through early voting in person.
Via absentee or mail ballot.
TBH, I haven’t figured that out just yet.
You’re in your “I Voted” sticker era. Let’s find your polling place here so you know where to go!
As a PA voter, you can request, receive, vote, and submit your ballot all in one visit to your county election office or other designated location — just make sure you do so by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Any registered PA voter can request a mail ballot. If you haven’t requested yours yet, do it ASAP here. The deadline to request your ballot is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Want to vote before Nov. 5? Submit a request for a mail ballot by Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. or visit a designated county election location and vote on the spot. If you wait until Election Day, you have to go to your assigned polling place.
Question 2
How do you plan on voting?
Next Question ↓
Yes, I think so!
I’m not sure!
I don’t think I have what I need.
I’m voting by mail.
Great! As a reminder, first-time voters will be required to show a form of ID! You can double-check you have what you
need here.
No problem! If you’re voting for the first time in your PA precinct, learn about the state’s voter ID laws here.
Don’t worry! Confirm that here and if you don’t have what is required, VoteRiders can help get what you need here.
All you need to request your mail-in ballot is the last 4 digits for your Social Security Number or PennDOT ID Number. Learn more about requesting your mail-in ballot here.
Question 3
Do you know what the voter ID laws are in Pennsylvania & do you have what you need?
Next Question ↓
TIP: You’re busy, we get it! Finding time in your schedule is just one of the many reasons to cast your vote ahead of Election Day. PA voters can now request and submit their ballot at a designated county election location, or they can request a ballot and take it home and mail it in on their own time. Just make sure you have these two key dates in your calendar: Requests for mail ballots or early voting ballots must be done by 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 5). To ensure your ballot is received by the deadline, don’t wait and return it ASAP.
TIP: Never got your driver’s license? Don’t worry! In Pennsylvania, you can use your student ID to vote. For additional options, VoteRiders offers voter ID assistance to get you the documentation you need. Learn about your options as a Pennsylvania voter here.
Where to request your ballot?
When you have to request your ballot by?
Where and when to return your ballot?
This is great, but I'm voting in person on Election Day.
If you want to request, vote, and submit your ballot all at the same time, you can do so at your county’s designated election location. You can also request your ballot here to have it mailed to you.
The deadline to request your mail ballot is 5 p.m. on October 29. This includes both online requests and in-person early voting requests.
You can find a few return options here. (And make sure to track your ballot here if you mail it in.) Don’t wait to return your ballot though — if you mail in your ballot, it must arrive by Election Day at 8 p.m. to count.
You’re going to love the next question!
Question 4
Voting early or requesting a mail/absentee ballot? Do you know…
Next Question ↓
TIP: Don’t wait to figure out your voting plan. If you’ve decided to vote by mail or absentee ballot, request it now if you haven’t already. Then find time on your cal so you can fill out your ballot and return it ASAP. If you’re going to your county’s election location to request a ballot and vote on the spot, find out where you’re going and when you’re going here, and block off time to make it all happen. Remember: The deadline to vote early in person in the general election is Oct. 29. Mail-in ballots must be RECEIVED, not postmarked, by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Where you are going to vote?
How you are getting there?
What time you’re going to vote?
I’m realizing I don’t have a plan to make it work!
Let’s confirm your polling place here — and make sure to put the location in your calendar now so you don’t forget!
Good news — there are a ton of rideshare discounts offered on Election Day. Check them out here.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Any voter in line at their assigned polling place at 8 p.m. will be able to vote. Find a convenient time and block off your calendar now so you don’t double-book.
You already have your polling place, but need help getting there? Find rideshare offers here. We’ve even created some email templates for you to use if you need to miss work or class.
Question 5
Voting in person on Election Day? Let’s make your day-of plan now. Do you know…
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You DID It! you now know...
how to actually vote!
Gen Z will play a monumental role in this election and by using our guide you've taken an important step in making your voice heard.
Click here to download a graphic you can share to encourage others to do the same. Tag @hercampus and use #HowToActuallyVote to be featured on Her Campus.
how to actually vote
Want more? Input your address into BallotReady's tool below to find personalized voting resources, key dates, and more information about your local ballot.
Look, we get it — even with all the noise around the election and how determined you are to make your voice heard, you may realize you’re still left with questions about voting at this point in the race (especially if you’re a college or Gen Z first-time voter). And that’s completely understandable.
That’s why Her Campus is launching How To Actually Vote, a simple, straightforward guide to make voting as a college student crystal clear. Answer a few questions and you’ll get relevant, step-by-step guidance, helpful resources, and tips to ensure you know exactly how to cast your vote. (Plus, a glossary to finally break down all the terms and phrases that get thrown around!)
Let’s dive in so you can make sure you know how to actually vote.
Look, we get it — even with all the noise around the election and how determined young people in Pennsylvania are to make their voices heard, you may realize you’re still left with questions about voting at this point in the race (especially if you’re a college or Gen Z first-time voter). And that’s completely understandable.
That’s why Her Campus is launching How To Actually Vote In Pennsylvania, a simple, straightforward guide to make voting as a college student in Pennsylvania crystal clear. Answer a few questions and you’ll get relevant, step-by-step guidance, helpful resources, and tips to ensure you know exactly how to cast your vote. (Plus, a glossary to finally break down all the terms and phrases that get thrown around!)
Let’s dive in so you can make sure you know how to actually vote in Pennsylvania.
Paid for by Project 26 Pennsylvania and not authorized by any political party, candidate, or committee.
Want more? Input your address into BallotReady's tool below to find personalized voting resources, key dates, and more information about your local ballot.
how to actually vote
IN PENNSYLVANIA
The Gen Z Guide To Voting
As A College Student In PA
presented by her campus X project 26 pennsylvania
how to actually vote
The Gen Z Guide To Voting
As A College Student In PA
IN pennsylvania
presented by her campus X rally NC
TIP: Make a voting plan to hold yourself accountable and play a key role in this election. Double-check your voting plans here before Election Day and encourage your friends to do the same. And remember: Whether you're voting in person, early, or by mail, change starts locally, and it's *crucial* to be prepared for the entire ballot. Learn about your local measures here, so there are no surprises when you vote!
Want to help your friends in other states vote with confidence? Share HowToActuallyVote.com with them so they can easily navigate the process and feel prepared as college voters this election!
For more election-related content, check out Her Campus's 2024 Election hub. Want to learn about your local ballot? Input your address into BallotReady's tool below the glossary for more personalized voting resources.
TIP: Make a voting plan to hold yourself accountable and play a key role in this election. Double-check your voting plans here before Election Day and encourage your friends to do the same. And remember: Whether you're voting in person, early, or by mail, change starts locally, and it's *crucial* to be prepared for the entire ballot. Learn about your local measures here, so there are no surprises when you vote!
Want to help your friends in other states vote with confidence? Share HowToActuallyVote.com with them so they can easily navigate the process and feel prepared as college voters this election!
For more election-related content, check out Her Campus's 2024 Election hub. Want to learn about your local ballot? Input your address into BallotReady's tool below the glossary for more personalized voting resources.