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Griffins Vote!

It is a privilege and a right to vote, and it is also your job as a citizen! Learn what is on the 2026 ballot and where and how to vote.

In PA, the deadline to register in order to vote in November is Oct 19!  

Additional dates and deadlines include:

  • Absentee or Mail-In Ballot Application — The last day to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot is October 27, 2026.
  • Election Day — The general election will take place on November 3, 2026.
  • Early Voting — Pennsylvania allows early voting, but specific dates may vary by county. Please visit your home county’s website for more information.

Please note: Chestnut Hill College has a voting policy for all faculty and staff. College employees are permitted to take two hours at the beginning or end of the day on November 3 in order to vote, without loss of pay. Employees are asked to request, with their supervisor, any time off needed to vote at least two days prior to Election Day.

How and Where to Vote:

College students have options about where to vote, but you can only be registered in one state. For example, if you are from New York but register now with your CHC address, you would vote in person in Chestnut Hill (see below), but you would no longer be registered in NY. You can register in PA with your on- or off-campus address.

Voting in PA

  • If your address is the campus, you are in the 7th division of the 9th ward of the city of Philadelphia, and your polling place is inside St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 22 E Chestnut Hill Ave, 19118. This polling site is wheelchair accessible.
  • If you live off campus, your polling place will be different. It will be noted on your voter registration card and can be found using the tool in the PA state find my polling place site.

Voting in Another U.S. State

If you live in another state, you can choose to register there, but then you need to either request a mail-in ballot from that state (each state has a different deadline; check the department of state website for your state) or go home on election day to vote in person.

You have many options, but you need to plan ahead!

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides voter education and support resources for all voters, but specifically for college students to address questions such as where and how to vote, how to register, how to request a mail-in ballot, and more. We’ve pulled some of the most common questions below, but if you have additional questions not answered in these FAQs, please consult this resource.

Voter FAQs

How do I ensure my mail-in ballot is counted?

To ensure your mail-in ballot is properly counted, you must follow all of the instructions that accompany the ballot. These include properly using both the inner and outer envelopes, making sure to provide your signature anywhere the ballot requires, and correctly dating your ballot.

It is also helpful to send your ballot in as soon as possible as delays in USPS may result in your ballot arriving after November 3. While ballots that are postmarked prior to November 3 may still be counted, it is not a guarantee.

Do I have to mail my ballot in or is there a place I can drop it off?

Drop boxes will be available if you do not want to mail your ballot via USPS. Please utilize this website from the City of Philadelphia to find the dropbox nearest to you or if you have any other dropbox-related questions or concerns.

If you are looking for a drop box outside of the city, please consult this website, which lists dropbox locations by county in Pennsylvania.

Am I allowed to drop a mail-in a ballot with someone else’s name on it into a dropbox? Can someone drop a mail in a ballot with my name on it into a dropbox?

No. Ballots MUST be dropped into dropboxes by the individual who filled out the ballot. There are people who monitor dropboxes and will not allow you to drop a ballot that does not belong to you as the voter.

Voters can share a car but only the voter can can physically put their ballot in the dropbox.

What if I have a disability and am unable to drop off my own ballot?

Pennsylvania makes exceptions for individuals who have a registered disability. If you need assistance dropping off your ballot, you must complete and sign this form indicating the name of the person who is legally allowed to drop off your ballot. Please read the form carefully as there are some exceptions on who can/can’t be designated as your ballot agent.

Is there anywhere else I can drop off my ballot?

Yes. If you choose not to mail in your ballot or use a drop box, you can take your ballot to your local county elections office. The ballot must be dropped off at the office of the county where you are registered to vote.

I requested a mail-in ballot but changed my mind and want to vote in person. Am I still able to do so?

Yes. If you requested a mail-in ballot but have changed your mind and want to vote in person on November 3, you are able to do so provided you bring your mail in ballot to your polling place. They will exchange your mail-in ballot with an in-person one.

If you no longer have your mail-in ballot, you can still vote in person, however, your vote will be counted as a provisional ballot. You can learn more about provisional ballots here.

I need to request an absentee ballot. How do I do so?

If you live out of state and do not plan on using Chestnut Hill College as your campus address OR you have a disability that prevents you from being able to go to the polls, you will need to request a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot. An absentee or mail-in ballot allows you to vote in your county/state’s elections without needing to be in that county/state on election day.

All absentee ballot requests are reviewed. Individuals must provide the reason why they are requesting an absentee ballot. There is very little difference between an absentee ballot and a mail-in ballot, with the biggest being you are not required to provide a reason to request a mail-in ballot.

I am registered to vote in another state but want to register to vote at my Chestnut Hill College residential address. How can I do that?

Pennsylvania law allows college students to register to vote using their residential address permitted they have lived at said address for at least 30 days prior to the election. Given Chestnut Hill College students moved in during August, this is not an issue for anyone who would like to vote using their campus address.

If you are registered to vote in another state, you will need to notify that jurisdiction or your intent to cancel your voter registration for that state. You can find the forms required for each state here. Once you have filled out that form, you will be able to register to vote in Pennsylvania.

Should I vote in the Pennsylvania Election or the Election in my home state?

Each state and county will have different ballot measures and candidates/offices you can vote on. The decision of where to vote is up to you. If you feel strongly about the candidates in your home state or state you are already registered to vote, you may opt for a mail-in or absentee ballot in order to vote in that state’s election. If you prefer to vote in Pennsylvania’s election, you can still opt for a mail-in ballot or you can choose to vote in person at the local polling place.

Please note, you can only vote once no matter the state so choose thoughtfully on which state you want to vote in this November.

Is there a way to track that my absentee or mail-in ballot has been received?

Yes! PA Voter Services provides an easy way to track the status of your absentee or mail-in ballot. All you need to do is provide your name, birth date, and county where you are registered to vote. You can use this website to track your ballot status.

Please note, you can not track an in-person ballot cast on Election Day.

Is Chestnut Hill College closed on Election Day?

No, Chestnut Hill College will not be closed on Election Day meaning there will still be classes, practices, games, and offices will be opened. If you are planning to vote in-person, polling places open at 7AM and remain open until 8PM. Please make arrangements with your professors and coaches if needed, to ensure you are able to vote within those hours.

I am a first-time voter. What should I bring with me to the polling place on Election Day?

As a first-time voter or someone who has not voted in a long time, you will need to provide a photo ID before you are able to vote. Acceptable forms of ID include drivers license, state-issued photo ID, or passport.

How do I check my voter registration status?

If you registered to vote in Pennsylvania and are curious if your voter registration status is still active, you can enter your information on this website.

This will allow you to check your status as well as if you have an approved mail-in ballot request. It will also provide you with information on your voting district and what your polling place is for the upcoming election.

Will I be able to vote safely on Election Day?

Yes. Voting monitors and outside organizations may be present at the polling place but they are required to stay outside of voting area and may not intimidate or influence your vote in any way. Polling places are safe spaces where you can feel comfortable casting your vote, unobstructed.

Educate and Advocate

Who (and What) is on the Ballot?

Part of being an educated voter is knowing who, or in some cases, what, is on the ballot.

For Pennsylvania in 2026, voters will be casting ballots for various elected positions along with several issues based on your district.

If you are voting in another state, in addition to who is on the ballot, it is important to know what is on the ballot. Visit Ballotpedia for a full list.

Combating Fake News, Misinformation, and Disinformation

When it comes to an election cycle, there is always bad intel out there that is often spread in three distinct forms.

Misinformation – incorrect or misleading information spread, often without malice, that could unintentionally falsely influence or deceive. Normally a result of simply having the facts wrong or repeating information not known to be false.

Disinformation – incorrect or misleading information spread deliberately with the intent to falsely influence or deceive. Normally found in the form of manipulated facts or propaganda that is known to be false.

Fake news – stories that appear as if they are real news, created to influence political views. Normally found on social media and can be hard to distinguish on face.

All three forms are primarily spread through social media, but also through television, radio, newspapers, digital media, word-of-mouth, and more. Be careful with where and how you get your voter resources and news. Below is a list of independent sources that will help you fact check and verify information that is out there. It is important to learn how to sift through fake news, misinformation, and disinformation and to combat it when possible. If you see something that isn’t true, say something, and help to educate others.

Register to Vote or Apply for an Absentee Ballot for Early Voting

Check the Facts

Voter Information Tools

Vote.org has no shortage of helpful tools that you can use this election cycle. You’ll find some of them below!