Universities across Pennsylvania, including Drexel, Temple, and Penn State, are actively encouraging student participation in the upcoming 2024 elections. These institutions are organizing events, providing resources, and even adjusting academic schedules to facilitate student voting. Efforts include voter registration drives, informational campaigns about mail-in ballots, and educational events to ensure students are well-informed and ready to vote.
As Election Day approaches, universities in Pennsylvania are stepping up to ensure their students are ready and able to vote. Drexel University is giving students a day off, while Temple University and Penn State are providing extensive resources and support to guide their students through the voting process. These efforts reflect a broader trend of increasing voter engagement among college students, a demographic with historically lower turnout rates.
Drexel University has canceled classes on Election Day to ensure students have ample time to vote. The Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) at Drexel, in collaboration with voter advocacy groups, has been active in registering students and providing them with all necessary information regarding voting procedures. Sienna Olivieri, USGA's Civic Engagement Vice Chair, noted an increase in registered voters and emphasized the importance of actual voting participation. Drexel has also set up resources like the Drexel Libraries and Drexel Votes to assist students with mail-in ballots and finding polling locations [1].
Temple University is not only focusing on getting its students to the polls but also ensuring they are well-informed. The university highlighted the importance of knowing what to expect when voting, especially for those who are voting in person for the first time. Temple Votes, a nonpartisan initiative, has organized a 'parade to the polls' to help students get to their polling places. Additionally, resources such as guides.vote and the Temple Votes website offer detailed information about the candidates and issues [2].
Penn State is providing its students with a plethora of resources to aid their voting process. PSU Votes, a trusted source for nonpartisan voter information at the university, offers guidance on everything from researching candidates to understanding the voting process. The university stresses the importance of being prepared with the right ID and knowing the polling location. Penn State also hosts a satellite election office to assist with voter registration and mail-in ballots [3].
The concerted efforts by Pennsylvania universities to mobilize their students for the 2024 elections highlight the growing recognition of the importance of youth engagement in the democratic process. By providing resources, facilitating access to polling stations, and even adjusting academic schedules, these institutions are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of civic participation in the United States.
"I feel like this year I’m seeing so many more people registered to vote than I have in the past years." - Sienna Olivieri