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Voting FAQs

Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions. Don't see the answer to your question here, e-mail vote@swarthmore.edu.

Registration FAQs

My parents live in a state that’s not Pennsylvania, but I want to vote in Pennsylvania. Can I do that? And, if I do that will that affect my Pell grant?

As a Swarthmore College student, you can choose to register in Pennsylvania or your permanent residence. Where you choose to register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans, or your dependency status for FAFSA. Note: you may only register and vote in one place. To register in PA, you must be a resident of PA for at least 30 days before election day. Here's more info on registering.

I’m originally from outside of Pennsylvania and I want to register and vote in my permanent out of state address. Can I do that or do I have to vote in Pennsylvania?

College students have the right to register to vote at the address they consider the place where they live — whether that’s their family's home or the place where they attend school. Students may only be registered and vote in one location. Here's more info on registering.

How do I register to vote?

In order to vote, you first must register. To be eligible to register and vote, you must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older on election day
  • Be a US citizen for at least 30 days before election day

As a Swarthmore College student, you can choose to register in PA or your permanent residence. Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans, or your dependency status for FAFSA. Note: you may only register and vote in one place. To register in PA, you must be a resident of PA for at least 30 days before election day. Here's more info on registering.

I want to register to vote in Pennsylvania, but because I don’t have a PA Driver’s License or PennDOT ID number, I need to upload a signature to register online. And, I can’t get a high enough quality scan, what should I do?

If you don’t have Pennsylvania ID numbers, the most straightforward solution may be to download a paper application form, print it, complete and sign it and mail it to the Delaware County Board of Elections so that it is received by the deadline.

I think I’m already registered but I’m not sure. How do I check?

If you think you’re already registered but are not sure, you can take 30 seconds to check your registration status.

I missed the deadline to register but I still want to vote? What can I do?

If you’ve missed the deadline to register, you must wait until the next election cycle.

Mail-in Voting FAQs

How does mail-in voting work?

Voting by mail means you request and receive a ballot in the mail. You fill out the ballot, and return it before or on election day. The regulations around mail-in or absentee voting vary from state to state, but most states allow for mail-in voting if certain conditions are met. Remember: College students have the right to register to vote at the address they consider the place where they live — whether that’s their family's home or the place where they attend school. Students may only be registered and vote in one location. Here's more info on mail-in voting.

Do I have to be registered before I can request a mail-in ballot?

In most states, yes. Check out the rules in your preferred state. Here's more info on mail-in voting.

What’s the difference between an absentee ballot and a mail-in ballot?

While vote-by-mail and vote absentee are often used interchangeably, there actually is a difference between the two systems. If you want to dig into this, let the League of Women Voters break it down for you.

I applied for a mail-in ballot but it hasn’t arrived yet. How do I check on the delivery date?

If you’re voting in Pennsylvania, you can use this statewide ballot tracker.

Vote.org’s national ballot tracker can be used to search for ballots outside of PA.

Election day is here and I still haven’t received my mail-in ballot. Can I still vote?

If you’re in Pennsylvania, go to your polling place and ask to cast a provisional ballot. After the County Board of Elections confirms that you did not in fact vote by mail, your vote will be counted. Learn more about provisional ballots from VotesPA.com. If you cast a provisional ballot, make sure you hold on to your provisional ballot identification receipt. You’ll need the provisional ballot identification number, which is on your provisional ballot identification receipt, to check whether your ballot was counted, partially counted or did not count beginning seven days after the election.

If voting in states other than Pennsylvania, visit Campus Vote Project to find the particular protocols for your state.

I received my mail-in ballot, but I changed my mind and now want to vote in person. Can I?

If you’re in Pennsylvania, you can still vote at your polling place. Got to your polling location and bring your mail-in ballot and everything that came with it — the return envelope and the blank “security envelope.” A poll worker will help you void them. Then you may vote in person. If you don’t bring everything with you (maybe your mail-in ballot never arrived), but you want to vote in person, you can cast a provisional ballot. After the County Board of Elections confirms that you did not in fact vote by mail, your vote will be counted.

If voting in states other than Pennsylvania, visit Campus Vote Project to find the particular protocols for your state.

I returned my mail-in ballot, but it hasn’t been received. What can I do?

If you’re in Pennsylvania, check the ballot tracker one more time to confirm your ballot has not yet been marked as received. If the online tracker doesn’t show the ballot as received or counted, call the Delaware County Bureau of Elections and ask to confirm.

 If you are unable to confirm your ballot has been received, you may wish to cast a provisional ballot. To cast a provisional ballot, go to your polling place and ask to cast a provisional ballot. If, after the election, the County Board of Elections confirms that they didn’t receive your mail-in ballot, your provisional ballot will be counted. Learn more about voting by provisional ballot from VotesPA.com. 

If you cast a provisional ballot, make sure you hold on to your provisional ballot identification receipt. You will need the provisional ballot identification number, which is on your provisional ballot identification receipt, to check whether your ballot was counted, partially counted or did not count. This information is available beginning seven days after the election. 

If voting in states other than Pennsylvania, contact your local board of elections to find out their particular protocols.

 In Person Voting FAQs

I’ve never voted in person how does that work?

Voting in person is just like it sounds. When you register, you’re assigned to a SPECIFIC polling location in your region. On election day, go to that polling location during their prescribed hours to cast your vote. Some states (not Pennsylvania) allow people to cast their votes in person prior to election day. Regardless of where you vote, most states require first time voters to show ID when going to the polls. Here's more info on voting in person.

How do I find out where my polling place is?

If you’re living on campus, your polling location is based on your dorm. Before you go to vote on election day, re-confirm your polling location by checking your voter registration status on the PA Department of State website and scrolling down to find the polling place name and address. Swarthmore students registered on campus will either be assigned to the Northern Precinct (Swarthmore-Rutledge School) or Western Precinct (CADES).

All voting locations serving on-campus students are within easy walking distance from the College:

  • SRS (Swarthmore-Rutledge School) is down the hill of College Avenue. Cross at the light and continue past the athletic fields on the right. This 10 minute walk is about half a mile from the Rose Garden Circle and located at 100 College Avenue.
  • To go to CADES (Children and Adult Disability and Educational Services), go down Rutgers Avenue (starts next to the PNC Bank). Cross Harvard and Yale Avenues. Continue up the next block, you'll see the CADES building on your left. This is a 15-20 minute walk from Parrish Hall and a 10-15 minute walk from Mary Lyon Hall and is located at 401 Rutgers Avenue. 

FYI. If you’ve previously registered to vote in Swarthmore and have changed dorms, you may need to update your voter registration. 

If you’re voting outside of Pennsylvania, visit Campus Vote Project for information specially curated for student voters. State student guides break down information by state and include election day essentials with details on things like poll locations, polling hours and ID requirements for election day voting.

How do I get to Swarthmore-Rutledge School (SRS)?

SRS (Swarthmore-Rutledge School) is down the hill of College Avenue. Cross at the light and continue past the athletic fields on the right. This 10 minute walk is about half a mile from the Rose Garden Circle and located at 100 College Avenue.

How do I get to CADES?

To go to CADES (Children and Adult Disability and Educational Services), go down Rutgers Avenue (starts next to the PNC Bank). Cross Harvard and Yale Avenues. Continue up the next block, you'll see the CADES building on your left. This is a 15-20 minute walk from Parrish Hall and a 10-15 minute walk from Mary Lyon Hall and is located at 401 Rutgers Avenue.

When can I vote?

Polling places in Pennsylvania are open from 7:00am to 8:00pm on election day. Lines are likely to be long at times before and after traditional office hours or around noon. If you are in line when the polls close at 8:00pm, you are entitled to vote. Do NOT leave the line after 8:00pm or you will not be able to cast your ballot. 

If you’re voting outside of Pennsylvania, visit Campus Vote Project for information specially curated for student voters. State student guides break down information by state and include election day essentials with details on things like poll locations, polling hours and ID requirements for election day voting.

Do I need photo ID to vote in person?

In Pennsylvania, you must show ID if you are voting for the first time at your designated polling place. GOTV recommends using your Swarthmore College ID or your signed voter registration card, which you should have received in the mail. Even if you have voted before, we recommend bringing your College ID in case of any confusion at the polls. Don’t use an out-of-state driver's license as a voter ID. 

If you’re voting outside of Pennsylvania, visit Campus Vote Project for information specially curated for student voters. State student guides break down information by state and include election day essentials with details on things like poll locations, polling hours and ID requirements for election day voting. And, for a deep dive into voter ID requirements, check out Vote.org’s state by state list.

Can I wear campaign/candidate paraphernalia to the polls to vote? 

Pennsylvania state law reads: “No person, when within the polling place, shall electioneer or solicit votes for any political party, political body or candidate, nor shall any written or printed matter be posted up within the said room, except as required by this act.”

However, while state law doesn’t prohibit campaign clothing that hasn’t stopped poll workers from asking people to cover it up. The lack of specificity regarding what constitutes “electioneering” has led polling places across the state to ask people to cover the offending garment, such as hats, shirts, and buttons in order to place their vote in previous elections. If you choose to wear campaign paraphernalia, you may want to bring something to cover it up in case a poll worker challenges you. 

If you’re voting outside of Pennsylvania, visit Campus Vote Project for information specially curated for student voters. State student guides break down information by state and include election day essentials with details on things like poll locations, polling hours and ID requirements for election day voting.

What should I do if I feel my vote is challenged or I feel intimidated at the polls?

Where ever you decide to vote, if you’re intimidated or challenged when you go to vote in person, or if you have questions or concerns about your voting experience, you can contact Election Protection. Election Protection is a national, nonpartisan coalition that works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. Call the voter protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE or visit their website​​.

Here's an article that outlines what you can do if your vote is challenged.

Other FAQs

What have been some common voting glitches experienced by Swatties?
  • Missing the deadline to register. Voting deadlines are unforgiving!
  • Neglecting to include your dorm name on a PA voter registration application. This results in an invalid voting application.
  • Missing the deadline to request a mail-in ballot — particularly common when voting outside of Swarthmore.
  • Not confirming voter registration status and having to vote provisionally. This may result in your vote not counting.

Two additional things to consider:

  • A number of students have had problems with PA’s electronic voter registration system — uploading the signature is very glitchy. You may want to consider using a paper application to register.
  • Local elections matter. Give local elections some love! Look at the whole ballot — not just the top of the ticket.
How can I find out what’s on the ballot and what does a Lieutenant Governor do anyway?

Whether you vote by mail or in person, you can request a ballot in advance and review it. BallotReady.org and Vote.org are trusted nonpartisan sources about candidates, what they stand for, and any referendum questions that may be put to voters.

In addition to positions in the US House of Representatives and Senate, candidates may also be running for positions in the state assembly or judiciary. Vote Smart lets you to see who the candidates are, check out their records, and investigate any ballot initiatives.

If you vote in Swarthmore, you may also be able to vote for PA Treasurer, PA Auditor General, PA Attorney General, and other regional positions.  Want to see “job descriptions” for various elected officials, the Pennsylvania Center for Women & Politics at Chatham University explains it all.

Here's more information on ballot research.

I’m studying abroad during the election. Can I still vote?

Yes! If you are studying abroad and will not be in the US on election day, you can cast an absentee ballot. First, you must register. Then determine what the rules are for casting absentee ballots in the state where you are registered to vote. Make sure you give plenty of time to receive, fill out, and return your ballot via international mail. Many states require ballots to be received on or before election day (or at least to be postmarked on election day). Here's more info on voting by mail. 

I’m not eligible to vote in the US but still want to participate. What can I do?

There are several ways to be civically engaged. Regardless of your nationality or citizenship status, all Swarthmore students are encouraged to contribute to conversations surrounding the election particularly on those issues that affect you as an individual and/or the community in which you belong.

Be an ally. Non-voters can reach out to those people in their lives who are eligible to vote. Remind a friend to make a voting plan and schedule a specific time to vote. Volunteer to walk with them to the polls.

The Lang Center houses two programs for students interested in this area. The Politics and Equal Participation Lab is dedicated to understanding and helping to solve class and racial inequality in political participation and is looking for community-based researchers. The Debating for Democracy program is for students who want to be successful advocates in their communities.

Could the Get Out the Vote committee meet with my group/class to talk about the logistics of voting?

Yes, e-mail vote@swarthmore.edu to request a meeting.

How do I decide who to vote for?

If you're a Swattie, you know how to do your research. Here are a few tools to get you started:

  • Vote Smart provides, free, factual, unbiased information on candidates and elected officials. Just plug in their name to get their bio, voting record, etc. 
  • Spotlight PA shares a basic guide for vetting candidates for school boards, judges, and more. While geared for the 2023 election, the approach in this article can be used for any election.
This is so overwhelming. I don’t know where to start. What should I do?

You can always e-mail vote@swarthmore.edu and ask for a one-on-one meeting with a member of the Get Out the Vote committee. The committee would be happy to get you started.