WCU Votes

Voting while at college can seem overwhelming. The Center for Civic Engagement and Social Impact is here to help you with the voting process in the 2024 year. If you are a PA college student, you have many options to vote.

You have the right to register and vote where you live while attending college in Pennsylvania. You can use either an on-campus or off-campus address.

Registering to Vote

To be eligible to vote in Pennsylvania, you must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
  • Be a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
  • Be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

You have a choice of which address to use to register to vote:

  • You can register and vote where you live while attending college in PA or at your prior home address, provided your family or guardian still reside there.
  • If you are registering where you live while attending college in PA, you can use either an on-campus or off-campus address.
  • You can only be registered in one place at a time.

Whatever you choose, you have to register to vote at least 15 days before the election.

Voting by mail

How to vote by mail

  1. Request your mail-in ballot

    If you have a PennDOT ID or Social Security Number, request a mail-in ballot online.

    If you don't have a PennDOT ID or Social Security Number, you can print and mail the request form to the county election office in your college's voting district, or to the county election office of the county of your prior home address if you care to vote there.


  2. Return your mail-in ballot

When you get the ballot in the mail, mark it and send it back to your County Election Board or other designated location.

Learn more about mail-in and absentee ballots

FAQs

When is the GENERAL ELECTION?

  • The general elections will take place on Tuesday, November 5th. These elections will include many local and state races.
  • Learn about what’s on your ballot HERE.

HOW do I register to vote?

  • Be a United States Citizen for at least 30 days before the next election.
  • In PA, you must be a resident of Pennsylvania and your election district for at least 30 days before the next election.
  • Be at least 18 years of age the day of the next election. NOTE: You do not have to be 18 to register, as long as you will turn 18 by the election.
  • You may only register to vote in one place.
  • Register to Vote.

WHERE do I register to vote?

How do I check my VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS?

If you’re unsure of if or where you are registered to vote, you can easily check your status online, HERE. It’s important to know this information ahead of time, particularly in the time of COVID-19, so you are prepared if you have to make changes. 

When is the DEADLINE to register to vote in the 2024 General Election?

Register to vote

  • Pennsylvania:  
    • Online registration deadline: 15 days before Election Day
    • Register by mail deadline: Must be received 15 days before Election Day
    • In person registration deadline: 15 days before Election Day
  • Delaware: 
    • Online registration deadline: 24 days before Election Day
    • Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 24 days before Election Day
    • In person registration deadline: 24 days before Election Day
  • Maryland:  
    • Online registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
    • Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day
    • In person registration deadline: Available up to and including on Election Day
  • New Jersey:
    • Online registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
    • Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day
    • In person registration deadline: Available up to and including on Election Day
  • Registration information for additional states can be found HERE.

How do I VOTE BY MAIL?

  • The PA deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot must be recieved 15 days before Election Day. (Live in another state? Check your state’s deadlines here).
  • PA residents can apply for a mail-in ballot HERE.
  • Once you have applied, you can check your application status HERE.
  • Ballots must be mailed back and received by county voting officials by 8pm on November 7th in order to be counted!

How do I vote with an ABSENTEE BALLOT?

  • You can request an Absentee Ballot HERE.
  • Learn more about completing and returning an absentee ballot HERE.

As a student, can I register to VOTE AT MY SCHOOL ADDRESS?

Yes! You have the right to register to vote at your school address—this includes a residence hall address, off-campus apartments, etc. Any student living on campus is entitled to the same rights as any other student/person.

If you live in a USH residence hall or apartment check here for the correct address to put on your voter registration application. If you live in a University owned residence hall or apartment check here for the correct address to put on your registration application.   

I am in the ARMED FORCES. How do I register to vote?

You can register to vote and request a ballot through the Overseas Vote Foundation.

I am ABROAD. How do I register to vote?

As long as you are abroad temporarily (studying or for a temporary internship), you should register for an absentee ballot. If you are living abroad, you should contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program (fvap.gov). They specialize in getting people who live abroad registered to vote. The rules for people living abroad are different for those living in the United States. The FVAP can also be reached by phone at (800)438-VOTE.

I am a voter with a DISABILITY. Will my polling place be accessible and what options do I have to cast a ballot?

Every voter has the right to cast a private and independent ballot, including voters with disabilities. If you want to learn more about what your voting rights are or were denied the right to vote because of your disability, refer to your state’s National Disability Rights Network Member agency (look up by state here). Additional resources for voters with disabilities can be found through the S. Election Assistance Commission.

I am, or I know someone who is MENTALLY IMPAIRED/DISABLED. Can I/they vote?

In most states, if a person has been declared “non-compos mentis,” or “mentally incompetent", by a court of law, that person is ineligible to vote. For more information on your county defines this, contact your county voting office.

I was previously convicted of a FELONY. Can I register to vote?

If you were convicted of a felony, your voting rights may vary from state to state. Learn more here.

Do I need to re-register if I’VE MOVED?

Yes, if you have changed your address, changed your name, or need to change your political party, you must re-register. Learn more here.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to register to vote?

You must be a naturally born or fully naturalized U.S. citizen to register to vote.

Do I need to be 18 to register to vote?

Voter registration age requirements vary by state, but most states (including PA) allow individuals who will by 18 by the next election to register to vote. Learn more about state requirements here.

Do I need to show IDENTIFICATION to vote?

Most states require some form of identification either when you register and/or when you vote. The rules vary by state. In PA, ID is required to vote only for voters who are voting in a given district for the first time. Forms of ID include: a PA driver’s license or PennDOT ID card, ID issued by any Commonwealth agency, ID issued by the U.S. Government, U.S. passport, U.S. Armed Forces ID, Student ID or an Employee ID. Learn more about State Voter ID laws.

For voting updates, follow @wcupa.volunteer on Instagram!