Pennsylvania

• Look at this PowerPoint to learn how to fill out an absentee ballot and contact us at sewaneevotes@sewanee.edu if you have any further questions.

• Important Dates

• Getting Started

• Visit Sewanee’s TurboVote page to receive help with registering to vote or voting

• TurboVote can help students with things like:

• Requesting and submitting absentee ballots
• Registering to vote, updating voter information, or checking voter registration
• Receiving election information

• You can also visit Pennsylvania’s voter registration page for similar assistance and information

• Registering to vote by mail

• Only use this option if for some reason you are unable to register/update online. For example, register by mail if you don’t have a PA Driver’s License/State ID.
• To register by mail, print and mail the form linked above to your local elections authority.

• Registration Deadlines
• Remember to check up on your registration status here and if it is not updated within 2 weeks of your submission, contact your local election authority
• As a college student should I use my school or home address to vote?

• Many students prefer to register in their home state especially if they’re planning to move back after college. If you’re registered to vote in your home state, though, make sure to request an absentee ballot.
• You can register to vote in your college state as long as you aren’t also registered to vote in your home state. You can only vote in the state you’re registered in. Some students prefer to register in their college state if they’re involved in things like local political organizations or activist groups.

• Students with scholarships or tuition that require residency should check with their financial aid office before registering to vote back home. For example, if you have a scholarship that requires Pennsylvania residency, you should ensure that registering to vote in a different state will not affect your status.

• You have a right to register to vote at the address you consider the place where you live, whether that is your family's home or the place where you attend school.

• Absentee Voting

• You can request an absentee ballot through TurboVote, your Pennsylvania Ballot Request Portal, by mail, or through another source

• Make sure to have the ballot sent to you at the address you plan to be at when it arrives
• If you intend to request an absentee ballot by mail, fill out this application in blue or black pen and ensure that you sign with the same signature you used to register to vote. Then mail the application to your local elections authority.

• Absentee Ballot Submission Deadlines
• Absentee Ballot Tracker
• After you receive and complete your ballot, send it to your local elections authority.
• In Pennsylvania, you must provide an excuse to vote by mail. Attending college out-of-state is a valid reason.

• You can read more about your state’s absentee ballot rules here

• Voter ID Laws

• Pennsylvania requires you to provide your PA driver's license or PennDOT ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number when you apply for an absentee ballot.
• If you don't have any of those, you must attach a copy of one of the following photo IDs with your ballot application (or alternatively, with your ballot) that shows your name, photo, and has an expiration date that's current:

• Photo ID issued by the Commonwealth of PA or the U.S. Government (including a U.S. Passport)
• Photo ID from an accredited PA public or private institution of higher learning, including colleges, universities, seminaries, community colleges and other two-year colleges
• Photo ID issued by a PA care facility, including long-term care facilities, assisted living residences or personal care homes
• U.S. military ID
• Employee photo ID issued by U.S., PA, PA County or PA Municipal government

• Read this article to learn about how your state may verify absentee ballots. There’s also a chance your ballot may tell you it needs to be signed in the presence of a witness or notary public, so if this applies to you see the How to Vote Absentee PowerPoint for more information.

• Common Issues and Questions

• What if I don't have a PA Driver's License/State ID and/or SSN?

• If you don’t have a PA Driver’s License/State ID you can still register to vote/submit an absentee ballot by using your social security number (SSN). It’s better to use your Driver’s License/State ID, though.
• If you don’t have any of these things, you need to submit a copy of an alternative form of identification in the form of an approved photo ID or a document that shows your name and home address along with your registration application and mail ballot.

• Acceptable forms of identification include:

• Pennsylvania driver’s license or PennDOT ID card
• ID issued by any Commonwealth agency
• ID issued by the U.S. Government
• U.S. passport
• U.S. Armed Forces ID
• Student ID
• Employee ID
• Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office
• Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth
• Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government
• Firearm permit
• Current utility bill
• Current bank statement
• Current paycheck
• Government check

• What if the name or address on my ID is incorrect?

• The name or address on your ID doesn’t have to be current, however, you must provide an up-to-date name, home, and mailing address for your voter registration. This means that if your information has changed since you last registered to vote, you need to update/re-register.

• Does where I register to vote affect my financial aid?

• No, it will not affect any federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, Perkins and Stafford Loans, Academic Competitive Grants, SMART Grants, and other federal loans. Some private scholarships and grants are designated for residents of a particular place, so it is good to check with the administrator of the program to see how they determine residency.

• Does where I register to vote affect my health insurance?

• No, where you register to vote will not affect your health insurance.

• Does where I register to vote affect whether my parents can claim me on their taxes?

• No, a parent can still claim a child on their taxes, no matter where they are registered to vote.

• Make sure that your signature on anything you submit regarding voting (e.g., absentee ballots or voter registration) matches the one on your PA State ID/Driver’s License
• You can still vote absentee if you’re studying abroad. Usa.gov is a great resource for anyone needing to vote overseas.

• Read more FAQ here

• Resources

• Columbia College’s Pennsylvania Voting Guide
• Tips for Registering & Voting on Campus
• Voting in College Know Your Rights