Civic engagement in national elections among student-age voters is a long-standing challenge. Often students who live busy lives are indifferent about voting until days before the election. However, all too often in these situations, folks try to vote at the last minute without understanding the procedure involved.

Without registering, individuals cannot vote and the time is running out to do so. With the end of voter registration for the presidential election looming on October 9th, @psuvotes, a non-partisan initiative aimed at encouraging voter participation, is making one final push to ensure Penn State students are eligible to vote in November.

Last week PSUVotes held an event featuring Jay Paterno and Coquese Washington, who spoke of the value in voting.

There has been much scrutiny over a controversial Pennsylvania Voter ID Law passed earlier this year, which would require everyone to show a valid photo ID in order to vote. On Tuesday, this requirement was withdrawn for the election. Just as in years past, a valid student ID registered locally WILL allow you to vote.

PSUVotes is holding a “voter registration day” on Monday Oct. 8 in the HUB from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. In order to attract students, the event will have dance companies, musical groups, and Penn State athletes on hand.

If, somehow, you haven’t been coerced into registering by the multitude of clipboard hugging activists around town, make sure you do so by October 9th.