Spotlight PA's College Student Primary Guide
Swatties: Do you want to be agents of change? Change can happen one vote at a time. Let voting be an expression of your commitment to social justice. According to the last census, Millennials and Generation Z will comprise 44% of all American voters in 2024. The Voter Participation Center reports that The New American Majority — young people, people of color and unmarried women — is 150 million people strong. They represent 64% of the people who can vote in America. The Get Out the Vote committee believes voting allows for the possibility of positive change and that young people can lead the way. Not sure? Check out our “Does Your Vote Matter” page.
Pro Tip: You can’t vote if you don’t register. Make a voting plan that determines where, how and when you’ll register and cast your ballot. Don’t leave it to chance, make sure your voice is heard.
Swarthmore College is committed to empowering student voters and has convened the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) committee to educate students on their voting rights and position them to participate in our democratic process. A nonpartisan group of staff, faculty and students, GOTV is here to help students navigate through what can feel like a mysterious and complicated process.
The Voting Process
| ACTION ITEM | WHY IT MATTERS |
|---|---|
| Determine if you are eligible to vote | Voters must be U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old on Election Day. Other requirements vary by state. |
| Register to vote | Eligible Swarthmore College students can register to vote in either their home state or in Pennsylvania. |
| Learn about key deadlines | Registration and mail-in ballot request deadlines vary by state. |
| Research your ballot | Elections can feature races at the county, state, and national levels and it's important to make an informed decision. |
| Decide how you will vote | Some states, such as Pennsylvania, offer "no-excuse" voting by mail, which means that voters do not have to provide a reason for requesting a mail-in ballot. |
| Go vote! | If you've decided to vote in person, find your polling place and make a plan to get there on Election Day. If voting by mail, mark key deadlines on your calendar. |
Have a voting question?
Email: vote@swarthmore.edu
