UPUA will host its second annual PSU Votes Week September 26-30 with support from 20 other student organizations. As the election cycle heats up in anticipation of November 8, the events lined up aim to prepare students for election day by increasing awareness and voter registration.

According to UPUA’s Governmental Affairs Chair Shawn Bengali, the week is designed to increase civic engagement and student voter efficacy by getting students more involved in the upcoming election and voting in general.

“Pennsylvania has a relatively complicated voting process, and because of this, every single year many students are turned away from Alumni Hall on election day,” he said.

Bengali also said because Pennsylvania’s voter registration deadline is a month before the election, many students don’t know whether or not they’re registered to vote.

“We want students to know about this fact and, if they are willing, register in State College,” he said. “If students still want to vote in their own home districts, we want to inform them about the Absentee Ballot process to make sure that every person who tries to vote actually can.”

On top of voter registration, there are a variety of events going on throughout the week to promote the advantages of voting and being informed to participate in the election.

Monday

Presidential Debate Watch Party in the HUB’s Flex Theatre at 8:30 p.m. Student organizations will also perform during the day on the HUB’s Ground Floor Stage starting at 11 a.m.

Tuesday

Students for Hillary vs. Bull-Moose Party (Students for Trump) Debate in 101 Thomas at 8 p.m.

Wednesday

College Democrats vs. College Republicans Debate in the HUB Flex Theatre at 7 p.m.

Thursday

A panel consisting of local and state legislators at 5:30 p.m. in 134 HUB. The panel will include State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham, Centre County Head Elections Commissioner Michael Pipe, and Chief of Staff to Senator Jake Corman, Matt Wise.

Throughout the Week

Voter registration and information tables will be set up around the HUB to register students to participate in the election. Tables will also be set up at each of the residence hall common areas.

Even if you don’t have time to attend any PSU Votes Week events, you can register to vote here on Penn State’s TurboVote site, which is funded by UPUA. Registering takes less than 10 minutes, and you don’t even have to leave your dorm or apartment.

“Penn State students should be involved in this election, just like any other election (Local, State, or Federal), because the decisions that our next leaders make will affect our generation more than any other age group,” Bengali said. “We are fortunate enough to live in a nation where we can actually decide the future of our country, and we should always take advantage of that opportunity.”