Taking place during unprecedented times, the 2020 presidential election has introduced many challenges to voters and candidates alike. It’s pretty common to feel overwhelmed by all the new guidelines and policies.

Luckily, Penn State students have many resources and opportunities to help them cast their vote by November 3.

Use our comprehensive guide to learn more about getting registered and casting your ballot this fall.

How To Register To Vote

To be able to cast a vote in the 2020 election, students must register to vote by Monday, October 19. It’s important to keep in mind that the deadline to register to vote varies per state, so if students plan to register to vote outside Pennsylvania, they should check their state-specific guidelines.

Registration takes only a few minutes online.

Penn State students have the right to register and vote at either their local or permanent address, and should choose whichever location they feel more connected and informed about local issues.

PSU Votes is currently hosting a voter registration clinic through October 19, on the HUB patio facing the lawn. Students can visit the patio anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to register to vote.

Where & How To Vote

Students who choose to vote by mail must request their ballot by 5 p.m. on October 27. Completed ballots can be either mailed in or dropped off in person.

Mail-in ballots should be postmarked no later than 8 p.m. on November 3 and arrive at their location by November 6. Once students mail their ballot, they can safely track its course online.

Those who choose to drop off their ballot in person must do so by 8 p.m. on November 3. Penn State students will be able to utilize a secure ballot drop box outside the HUB.

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Check it out, the State College Municipal Building (243 S. Allen Street) has a secure ballot dropbox from the Centre County Elections office. Learn more about how to take advantage of this dropbox at the #LinkInBio.

A post shared by State College Borough (@statecollegepa) on Oct 7, 2020 at 12:05pm PDT

Students can also use a secure drop-off box located outside the State College Municipal Building.

Many students may opt in to vote by absentee ballot if they are absent from the municipality where they registered to vote but still wish to vote in that area.

If students choose to vote in-person and have registered at their local address they can do so on November 3. Students living on campus at University Park will vote at the Bryce Jordan Center, which is currently open for early voting between October 14 and 17, and October 21 to the 24. On Election Day, the entire concourse will be open for voting.

Voters need to schedule an appointment online to vote early at the BJC. During satellite office hours, parking will be free.

Students living in White Course Apartments, meanwhile, will vote at the HUB.

Off-campus students can find their polling locations by clicking here.

For additional information about this year’s voting process and how to vote as a Penn State student, check out Centre County Votes and the Student Affairs website.