Voter's Guide

Get out there and VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

A YOUNG PERSON’S GUIDE TO VOTING AND ITS IMPORTANCE

Some of you may of heard talk around town about the general elections that took place nationwide this past November. While you may not have paid too much attention to these elections, it is something that as a young American citizen, you should learn to care about for the future. Our government is meant to serve us, the people, and as a citizen you should have a say in who you want to help run your nation.

Your vote is your voice as an American citizen.

For those of you who are 18 years and older, voting is an important thing to do. It is a natural right you have been given under the United States Constitution, and a right that many people have fought ruthlessly for in the past. It gives young people like you the chance to have a hand in shaping our nation. It’s so important, that even some of your favorite celebrities are urging America’s youth to vote with campaigns like “Rock the Vote” and “Vote or Die”.

And have no fear! Registering to Vote may seem intimidating, but it’s not. It’s easy and can be done in a few different ways. But the first step of your voting process is making sure that you are eligible to vote. You are eligible to vote in Pennsylvania if:

  • You have been a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
  • You have been a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
  • You are at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

If you pass these three criteria, congrats! You can now move on to the next step which is registering to vote. Here are the several ways you can register to vote:

  • You can register to vote in person at a County Voter Registration Office. You can find out where your registration office is by visiting: http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt/community/county_contacts_and_we...
  • You can register to vote at Penn DOT (PA Department of Transportation) photo license center when updating or obtaining your driver’s license.
  • You can register to vote by mail. Just download the Voter Registration Application online. Print, complete, sign and deliver it to your County Voter Registration Office by mail or in person.
  • You can register to vote online. Some websites let you fill out a Voter Registration Form online. See some of our websites below.
  • You can register to Vote at Government Agencies including:
    • State offices that provide public assistance & Armed Forces Recruitment Centers
    • County Clerk of Orphans' Court offices, including each Marriage License Bureau
    • Area Agencies on Aging
    • Centers for Independent Living
    • County Mental Health and Mental Retardation offices
    • Student disability services offices of the State System of Higher Education
    • Offices of Special Education
    • DA Complementary Paratransit offices

    After you have registered to vote, you’re ready to make your voice heard. Simply go online and find your nearest polling place where you can go and vote. For more information on voting, the following websites are great resources to find out where your nearest polling place is, how to prepare for Election Day, download a voter registration form, and much more:

     

    REMEMBER, VOTING IS A WAY OF HAVING YOUR VOICE HEARD IN OUR GOVERNMENT. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS NATURAL RIGHT AND VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!

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