Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman spoke to Penn State students via Zoom Thursday about civic engagement and its importance this fall.

The event was sponsored by the University Park Undergraduate Association, as well as the Penn State Lion Caucus, Office of Student Affairs, and the Center for Character, Conscience, and Public Purpose.

Fetterman spoke to the importance of being civically engaged as a college student throughout the lecture. After confessing he wished he was more engaged when he was a student, Fetterman shared that the college vote is “extremely crucial” in the upcoming election and emphasized the student voice could change American politics.

“It’s important that we all have a firm foundation in realizing that it’s critical to be engaged on the issues,” Fetterman said. “Right now, it’s the most consequential election of our lifetime. There is so much on the line, and it involves you getting involved and voting.”

For the upcoming election, students can choose between three voting options: absentee ballots, traditional voting, and voting by mail. Fetterman was persistent in noting that all of these options are extremely safe and secure.

“Whether you choose to vote in person, you are voting absentee back in your home jurisdiction, or you are voting by mail, they’re all safe and they’re all secure,” Fetterman stressed. “No one has ever questioned the underlying veracity of our voting system until this election.”

Fetterman also highlighted that civic engagement must include our digital lives and that we must remain civically minded when conducting ourselves online. He urged students not to give into the “darkness and viciousness” that is overtaking various social media platforms.

“How we conduct ourselves online and how we represent our candidates, beliefs, ideology, and party is critical,” Fetterman stated. “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”

Finally, Fetterman encouraged students who have chosen to vote by mail to get their ballots in as soon as possible. He shared that students have the ability to track their ballot online through a secure website to ensure it arrives safely.

Pennsylvanians have until October 19 to register to vote and until October 27 to request an absentee ballot. Ballots in Pennsylvania must be cast by 8 p.m. on November 3.