It is that time of the year again: election season. Students at Villanova are gearing up for the upcoming election on Nov. 4, but why is this election important, and what exactly will be on the ballot?
Hally Ammons, Assistant Director for Government and Community Relations at Villanova, works year-round with the Office of Student Involvement to support “Let’s Vote ‘Nova,” a student-led civic engagement initiative.
“It is one of my favorite parts of my job,” Ammons said. “I think it is really, really important.”
Let’s Vote ‘Nova was established in 2020 to uphold the University’s mission and to work to establish community members “who seek to nurture a concern for the common good and who share an enthusiasm for the challenge of responsible and productive citizenship.”
The initiative works to educate students and help them understand the importance of civic engagement.
Ammons spoke about the upcoming election on Nov. 4, explaining why every election matters, even when it may not attract major headlines.
“This year in Pennsylvania, we have fewer high-profile races, but that doesn’t mean they are less important,” Ammons said.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention vote is shaping up to be a key issue this Election Day.
“Our judges are elected by retention elections. The judges are already justices. They are not running against anyone, but voters are saying whether or not to keep them in their seats,” Ammons said. “It’s really a yes or no question that voters are being asked on their ballot.”
If judges get retained, then they go on to serve another 10-year term. If they are not, the Governor will appoint a temporary replacement until 2027, when voters will then be able to pick full-time replacements.
“The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is not getting as much media attention as the United States Supreme Court, but they are operating in a somewhat similar way and are making decisions that are very impactful for folks who live in the commonwealth,” Ammons said.
The other races voters will see on their ballots are primarily municipal elections. Voters will vote on judges of the superior court and commonwealth court. They will also vote for county council, sheriff, county controller, register of wills, school district/school board and township commissioner.
“When you are voting for these folks, even though these are the things not getting the most media attention, it is still really important,” Ammons said. “The folks you are voting for can represent your values, or they may not, and as a voter, it is up to you to make your voice heard.”
Students on campus also spoke about the election season and their experience registering to vote.
Daniella Forson, a junior originally from Georgia, chose to register in Pennsylvania when she came to Villanova.
“This is where I’m building my life and seeing the impact of policies firsthand,” Forson said. “While Georgia will always be home, I wanted my voice to count where I live, study and grow. Voting here is my way of engaging with the issues that matter to me and contributing to the community I’m part of every day.”
Marina Dicristofaro, a sophomore originally from New Jersey, also chose to register in Pennsylvania before the 2024 presidential election, as the state was considered a crucial swing state heading into Election Day.
“I chose to vote in Pennsylvania so I can have a greater impact,” Dicristofaro said. “Coming from a state that is pretty consistent, getting to vote in a swing state gave me the power to exercise my vote to the fullest. It felt meaningful to have the potential to make a positive change for our country.”
Caroline Etter, a sophomore and Pennsylvania resident prior to attending Villanova, has already voted in the local election through a mail-in ballot.
“It was easy to register right when I turned 18,” Etter said. “It’s important to vote in the local elections, especially because PA is a swing state.”
Dicristofaro credited Let’s Vote ‘Nova for making the voter registration process quick and easy.
“I just walked up to one of the Let’s Vote ‘Nova tents at the intersection and signed up,” Dicristofaro said. “They were super nice and made sure I had all of the correct information.”
Dicristofaro plans to continue voting in PA, including in the upcoming election on Nov. 4.
Although the registration deadline for the Nov. 4 election has passed, one can still register for all future elections. Ammons suggests turning to the Let’s Vote ‘Nova website for all information regarding election day including learning how to register, and polling locations.
Ammons also encourages registered voters to check their registration status and look into who exactly is on the ballot this November to make an informed decision at the polls.
Students who are registered to vote with their on-campus address will be voting in either Radnor 2-2 or Radnor 7-3. Voters should look into the Delaware County “Delco Votes” page for a sample ballot and candidate information.
