Author: Atiya Irvin-Mitchell

Where and when to vote

If you are a student registered to vote on campus on election day head to the Welker Room, where the polls are open from 7 a.m to 8 p.m

Polling places are usually libraries, schools, churches, and court houses. If you are a commuter student registered to vote in Pennslyvania and are unsure of your polling place go to https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx.

What to bring

In the state of Pennsylvania first time voters are required to show a form of identification. If it is not your first time voting, you are not required to show ID. Acceptable identification includes:

• A Pennsylvania Driver’s License
• State issued identification
• U.S Government Identification
• A U.S. Passport
• U.S Armed Forces ID
• Student ID
• Employee ID
• State issued Non-photo ID
• U.S Government issued Non-photo ID
• A Paycheck
• A Government Check
• Bank Statement
• Firearm Permit

What Not to Do

• In a handful of states taking pictures of ballots is explicitly illegal. PA is an ambiguous state. Err on the side of not snapping pictures of your ballot.
• Leave the candidate memorabilia at home. Partisan gear in polling places is considered electioneering. Save it for the watch party.

Non-Resident Voting

Chatham students who are not residents of Pennsylvania or Pittsburgh, are unable to vote in person due to disability or illness, or will for any reason be away from their home states  have the option of using an absentee ballot to cast their votes. Most states require that ballots are received by voters by the day before election day. For more information on state guidelines and deadlines: https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines/

Know Your Rights

What if your name’s not in the pollbook?

Don’t give up. If you’re in the correct polling place, you are entitled to request a provisional paper ballot.

Feeling intimidated?

In this day and age, voter intimidation is uncommon. But just in case, know that no one has the right to interfere with your right to vote.

If you’re feeling threatened:

• Inform the poll workers

• Call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA
• The U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline: 800-253-3931; TTY line 877-267-8971

Issues on the Ballot

• Abolishing Philadelphia Traffic Court due to corruption concerns.
• Raising the retirement age of PA Supreme Court judges to 75.
• The question on the ballot will ask if Judges should be required to retire at 75, the current retirement age is 70.  

Candidates on the Ballot

Presidential Race:

Hillary Clinton (Democratic Party)

Donald Trump (Republican Party)

Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party)

Jill Stein (Green Party)

Senate Race:

Katie McGinty (Democratic Party)

Pat Toomy (Republican Party)

What to do on Campus

The Pennsylvania Center for Women in Politics and Student Affairs will be offering a number of events throughout the day.

• Ballots and Breakfast at 9:00 a.m in the carriage house
• First Time Voter Parade at 11:30 a.m starting at the carriage house
• Results Watch party at 8:00 p.m. in the carriage house