It comes as no surprise that there will be a presidential election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. With a multitude of important issues and legislation on the ballot, it is critical to get out and vote, no matter who you support.
For the first time, Villanova students who live on campus no longer have to leave to cast their ballots, and instead can head over to the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to vote.
Registering to vote can be confusing, especially when trying to navigate how to fill out the form using one’s Villanova address. “Let’s Vote ‘Nova” is an on-campus organization dedicated to helping the Villanova community stay educated about voter rights and how to make sure one’s voice is heard every election day.
Hally Ammons, Villanova’s Assistant Director for Government and Community Relations, works extremely closely with “Let’s Vote ‘Nova,” in order to help inspire students, faculty and the Villanova community to go out and cast their ballot.
“Young people have a tremendous amount of power and have a lot to say,” Ammons said. “It is our right and responsibility to be a part of this process.”
Registering to vote can provoke some questions: If someone is registered at home can they re-register to vote in Pennsylvania? How does one know they are putting the correct information on their registration? What is the deadline to register?
When registering to vote in the state of Pennsylvania, students should fill out new voter registration forms. Use the address of the University, 800 E. Lancaster Road, followed by the name of one’s residence hall where it asks for an apartment name. Under the mailing address is where students will put their VU Box Number and correct mailing information. By filling out a new voter registration in Pennsylvania, students will be eligible to vote on campus instead of needing to request an absentee ballot to vote back home.
It is important to note that even if students have registered to vote at Villanova in the past, every year they must update their voting address to have accurate information about what dorms they live in.
When filling out a voter registration as a Villanova student, reference https://www1.villanova.edu/dam/villanova/studentlife/student-involvement/PA%20Voter%20Registration_Sample%20Registration.pd, which gives step-by-step instructions of the correct information to put on a voter registration form.
In the state of Pennsylvania, people must be registered to vote prior to Oct. 21. This is also the last day to make edits to a person’s voter registration status, if that is necessary.
The last day to request a mail-in ballot for the state of PA is October 29th, but it differs in every state. Students can find more information for their home states on their voter registration websites.
“We know students want to participate and vote where they live, and we are very optimistic that this change will motivate a lot of people to come and vote,” Ammons said. “We hope that by making it easier for our students to vote on campus and engage in the act of voting, more students will come out to vote. We are so grateful for the county and township for taking this action.”
“Let’s Vote ‘Nova” will have tabling events happening up until Oct. 21 to help students get registered to vote. Students can also access the voter registration form for the state of Pennsylvania here.
Get out to the polls on Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. and let your voice be heard. If one has additional questions, they can email Ammons at [email protected] or visit her office on the ground floor of Tolentine.
