Pennsylvania's primary election, which will take place on May 17, is just under a month away. In preparation for the upcoming election, The Daily Pennsylvanian has assembled a comprehensive ballot guide detailing how to vote, in person or by mail, and a brief run-down on all the candidates for students registered to vote on campus.
Getting registered to vote:
In Pennsylvania, the last day to register to vote in this election is May 2. If voters are unsure about their voting status, voters can check here. Voters can register to vote online or find directions for registering in-person or online, via Penn Leads the Vote's website. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for this election is May 10, which voters can apply for on the state of Pennsylvania's website.
Polling locations:
Voters can cast their ballots for the primary on Penn's campus on May 17, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Students who live in Kings Court English, Lauder, Hill, Sansom East and West, and Domus can vote in ARCH Room 108. Students who live in Harnwell, Stouffer, the Quad, Gregory, Harrison, Rodin, Du Bois, New College House West, the Axis, the Chestnut, the Radian, Chestnut Hall, Hamco, the Hub, and at 3737 Chestnut can vote in Bodek Lounge in Houston Hall.
Students can check the location of their polling place here.
How to vote by mail:
Voters who have a Social Security Number or a Pennsylvania Driver’s license can request their ballot online. Voters are also able to request a ballot by mail by sending a form to City Hall. Students who do not have access to a printer, stamps, or an envelope can complete this online form to have a mail-in ballot request form sent to them with an envelope and prepaid postage.
Once voters have received their mail-in ballot, they must mail it to City Hall or place it at a drop box location. Drop box locations will be closed at 8 p.m. on Election Day. If mail-in ballots are mailed to City Hall, it is important that they are mailed with enough time to ensure they are delivered before election day, as ballots that are not received by Election Day will not be counted.
Click below to learn more about each race on the ballot.
Ballot initiatives:
There are four measures that will be on the ballot in Philadelphia county.
The first question proposes that the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment should have seven members, instead of the current five members. This measure also proposes that the appointees be confirmed by City Council, and that the committee must include “an urban planner; an architect; a lawyer with zoning experience; a person with experience in the construction industry; and at least two recognized leaders from community organizations.”
The second question proposes that the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, which serves as Philadelphia’s constitution, setting up the rules for the city’s government, should remove all gender-based references.
The third measure on the ballot proposes that the Educational Supplement to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter should also remove gender-based references.
The fourth measure posits that the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter should establish the Fair Housing Commission as an independent commission that is officially part of the City Charter.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
Donate