UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Students can have an effect on local decisions and issues that impact them now and in the future by voting in the Pennsylvania Primary Elections on May 18. Voting in local, state and national elections is one of the most important duties of an engaged citizen and college-aged voters have the power to sway an election.

Throughout April, the Center for Character, Conscience, and Public Purpose will be holding open drop-in office hours virtually and in person to assist students with registering to vote or understanding their voting options.

Voter assistance drop-in hours: April 5 – 30

• (Virtual) Mondays, 11 a.m. –1 p.m., Zoom link
• (Virtual) Wednesdays 9–11 a.m., Zoom link
• (In Person) Thursdays 1– 4 p.m., Room 102 HUB-Robeson Center
• (In Person) Fridays 1—4 p.m., Room 102 HUB-Robeson Center

Each state holds a Primary Election between February and September to nominate candidates for the subsequent General Election. The Primary Election gives voters the opportunity to select the major party nominees for each public office who will be on the ballot in November.

The outcome of Primary Elections can have a huge impact on the day-to-day workings of the community. For students, who spend about 10 months of the year in their local college area, local government decisions impact their lives in many ways. For example, local government makes decisions related to funding for CATA bus and other public transportation; parking regulations; zoning and apartment regulations; local police and public safety, noise, alcohol and marijuana ordinances; and allocations for parks and recreation programs. Local elections also decide district and county judges who determine sentences for violations of the law and civil suits.

When registering to vote, it is important for students to think about where they want to vote and where they will be on the day of the election. Penn State students have the option to register to vote using their college address where they live for most of the year or their permanent address. To help decide where to vote, students should consider where they feel most informed about local issues, where they spend the majority of their time and where it would be easier to vote based on the timing of the election.

Pennsylvania allows mail-in ballots for anyone registered to vote in Pennsylvania. A mail-in ballot is a good option if students are unsure where they will be on election day. Students can request a mail-in ballot online.

Key dates for the Pennsylvania Primary Election

• May 3 — Last day to register to vote for the 2021 Primary Election
• May 11 — Last day to request an absentee and/or mail-in ballot
• May 18 — Primary Election, the polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (This is also the deadline to return your mail-in ballot; it must be received by the time the polls close.)

Penn State students can learn more about voter registration, election information and polling places at psuvotes.psu.edu. For specific information on Pennsylvania Primary Elections, visit Pennsylvania’s official voter information website at votespa.com. To find out who is on the ballot, visit Vote411 and enter the address where you will be voting.

Students who wish to register and vote in another state can visit Vote411 for important dates and information.

Penn State’s Center for Character, Conscience and Public Purpose, a unit of Student Affairs, works to increase civic engagement on campus and encourages the entire Penn State community to be involved in the voting and political processes.