Royals Vote

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"People in every nation enhance the social dimension of their lives by acting as committed and responsible citizens." -Pope Francis

 

The University of Scranton recognizes the importance and duty that we each have to ourselves and our nation to participate in the civic process of voting for our elected officials. The General Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 (PA polls open from 7 am - 8 pm). The last day to register to vote for the General Election in Pennsylvania is Oct. 21, 2024. Oct. 29 is the last day to apply for a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot. 

The Office of Community Relations, in partnership with The University of Scranton Student Government, the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service, Student Life and other campus partners, has compiled a list of voter resources to help guide students as they prepare to engage in their civic duty to make their voices heard in elections and to continue to engage with our civic process. 

Fall 2024 Civic Engagement Events

How to Vote

Ensure you are ready to vote: check your voter registration, make a voting plan, and make your voice heard by casting your ballot. Students with questions on this Election Day Voter Resource guide can reach out to The University of Scranton Student Government or contact the Office of Community Relations at community@scranton.edu. 

Election Day Voter Resource Guide

Voting Questions?

If you have voting questions and don't know what to do we're here to support you! University of Scranton students can email: community@scranton.edu or call: 570-941-4419 with any voting questions. 

Voting Information

Verify Your Voter Registration

Before you head to the polls to vote in any upcoming elections, be sure to verify your voter registration is up to date. Remember, you must vote where you are registered to vote. Students can vote in their home state or their college state (there is a 30-day residency requirement in PA). The voter registration verification process is simple. If you have any questions, we are here to help!

Am I Registered to Vote? 

How to Vote

Now that you're registered to vote, the next step is to creating your voting plan. A good way to create your voting plan is to think about where you will vote (home state or college state) and how you plan to vote (in-person, mail-in, drop-off mail-in, etc.). 

Find Your State & Local Elections Office

 

Be Election Day Ready

If you plan to vote in an upcoming election in person, consider how you will get to your polling location and what you need to once you get there, such as an ID if it is your first time voting at polling location. PA voters can see accepted ID for voting here

Voter Registration Deadlines

 

Research the Ballot

Voting, especially in municipal and local elections, can seem intimidating if you are unfamiliar with the process or uncertain about what to expect on the ballot. Before upcoming elections, make sure to take the time to reflect on your own values and research what to expect on the ballot. Consider the candidates and their platforms. A great way to prepare is to set aside a little time to research what to expect on the ballot. 

Learn What's On The Ballot

Find Election Information Personalized to Your Location

Where and How to Vote

As you create your voting plan, it's important to consider where and how you plan on voting. Does your state allow early voting? Are you planning to request a mail-in ballot? Where is your polling location? 

Find Your PA Polling Location

Students at colleges and universities in PA can also register to vote in PA using their college address. Students whose permanent address is out of state but who live in PA (on or off campus) while attending college and wish to register to vote with their PA address need to submit a PA voter registration application. Also, PA residents can change or update their voting address by clicking the box "change of address" on the PA voter application.

Information for College Students in PA

You can also learn more about how to get others involved in our political process to help increase participation in our political process along. When We All Vote, a nonpartisan effort launched in 2018 aims to change the culture around voting using a data-driven and multifaceted approach to increase participation in elections and provides information to help make voters aware of their voting rights. Democracy for All is another nonpartisan organization that seeks to connect and involve all people and communities, especially those traditionally underrepresented, in the democratic process.  

Learn About Your Voting Rights

The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE)

2020 The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE)

The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) offers colleges and universities an opportunity to learn their student registration and voting rates and is a part of Tufts University's Institute for Democracy & Higher Education. 

The University of Scranton is proud to report that student voting on its campus increased significantly in the 2020 presidential election, rising to 73.1% in 2020 from a rate of 50.6% in 2016 and 7 points above the 66% 2020 student national average. The University also increased voter registration rates, with 86.7% of eligible voters registering compared to the 83% national average.

View The University of Scranton's 2020 NSLVE Report

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

Fr. Marina Signs the Presidential Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation 

In July 2022, The University of Scranton president Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J. signed the ALL IN Democracy Challenge’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation. The University is committed to:

  • striving toward full student participation,
  • acknowledging the importance of student voice in all elections,
  • preparing students to be informed active citizen, 
  • creating experiences to help students become lifelong voters, and
  • empowering campus stakeholders to come together and determine solutions to the problems communities face. 

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The University of Scranton Earns Gold Seal for Voting During the 2020 Election

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. During the 2020 election cycle, The University of Scranton participated in the ALL IN Challenge 2020 encouraging students to register to vote, many for the first time, research candidates and causes, and cast their ballots, in-person, by mail, via secure drop box, or early if possible, during the election. The Royals delivered this election cycle with 73.1% voting rate, earning the University a Gold Seal from the ALL IN Challenge. You can view the 2020 Action Plan and learn more about the ALL IN Challenge here

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Voter Friendly Campus

The University of Scranton Designated a Voter Friendly Campus by NASPA and Campus Vote Project 

In March 2023, The University of Scranton was named a Voter Friendly Campus, one of 258 campuses in 38 states and the District of Columbia by Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The initiative recognizes institutions that have planned and implemented practices that encourage their students to register and vote in the 2022 elections and in coming years. 

The mission of the 2023 Voter Friendly Campus designation is to bolster colleges and universities’ efforts to help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process – every year, not just during years featuring federal elections. The University of Scranton was evaluated based on a written plan for how we planned to register, educate, and turnout student voters in 2022, how we facilitated voter engagement efforts on our campus, and a final analysis of our efforts. 

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Additional Voting Resources

Voter Education

Before you cast your ballot, it is important that you first  reflect on your own values to consider what issues and platforms are most important to you as you seek the right candidate. The next step is to learn more about the candidates running for office. You can consider

  • Stance on important issues and policies
  • History of civil service and past legislation supported 
  • Moral character and personal history 

In the end, it is important to identify a candidate that represents who you are, what you care about, and how you want policy issues to address during the candidate's term. Remember, your elected officials speak on your behalf, so it is vital that you select a candidate that you would trust to do this important job. 

To prepare yourself to choose a candidate it can be helpful to understand the terms and definitions used in our political process. You can empower yourself to make the best choice by understanding what these words mean. 

Common Voting Terms and Definitions

 

Many people often refrain from voting because they do not know about the candidates and are afraid to select someone that does not truly represent them in government. As a citizen it is your duty to learn about who is running for office and to prepare yourself to make the best choice before heading to the ballot box.

Depending on where you are voting, when you receive your ballot you may also find that you can cast your vote on a referendum. Just as with candidates, it is important to know what referendums are up for a vote in advance of the election.  

Find An Explanation of Candidates and Referendums

Nonpartisan Political Dialogue

In spring 2021, students from varied political perspectives and backgrounds were invited to join together to engage and encounter each other's experiences and views - not debate or persuade - through structured dialogues to build understanding and seek areas of common ground.

The first dialogue - Democracy: Are We "Brave Enough to Be It?" - was held on March 3 and the second student nonpartisan political dialogue - Exploring "Cancel Culture" was held on Tuesday, April 20, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. 

Creating an open dialogue across difference can be challenging, but with an open mind and genuine listening it is possible to come together despite our differences. The University's Political Dialogues Initiative has developed a method for engaging in open conversation across difference using the principles of Ignatian Spirituality and structured dialogue methods of national non-profit Essential Partners. 

How to Have Your Own Dialogue

Ignatian Spirituality and Voting

"We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern." - Pope Francis, 9/16/13

As members of a Jesuit and Catholic institution, we consider our faith and ask for God's guidance in making important decisions. Our values and our faith inform our choices and our actions. We understand the importance of reflection and discernment as we consider the candidates and issues. We also believe that voting is a responsibility that we all share that contributes to the common good for all people.

Ignatian Solidarity Network Resources

The Ignatian Solidarity Network offers a series of voting guides on important issues and additional voting resources along with a new Voting Is an Act of Love campaign. Additionally, the Ignatian Solidarity Network offers a short asynchronous training, Braver Angels Training, that offers insights on how to discuss issues with individuals who differ from you politically. 

Ecology Voting Guide Immigration Voting Guide Criminal Justice Voting Guide

Contemplation and Political Action: An Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement

The Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States reflects on our Gospel call to promote the common good in the public square and have created an Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement. This guide applies the tradition of Ignatian spirituality to our shared political life through contemplation and reflection as a call to political action so that we may be "men and women for others."

An Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement

Catholic Bishops of the United States Resources

Guide and teaching document on the political responsibilities of Catholics by offered by the Catholic bishops of the United States.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (en Español)

Election 2022

Examen for Civic Participation 

On Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 pm in The DeNaples Center room 405, members of the University community are invited to join for a special "Examen for Civic Participation" led by Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., Vice President for Mission and Ministry. Take time to reflect on your values and how they impact your vote while enjoying some refreshments. 

Celebration of Voting

On Election Day - Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on The DeNaples Center patio, members of the University community are encouraged to stop by and celebrate the act of engaging in the democratic process of voting! There will be refreshments, raffles, a special photo booth, and more! Come get your "I Voted" sticker and join in the voting party.  

Recorded Examen for Civic Life

As we continue to prepare for upcoming elections as a University community, the Office of Campus Ministries invites you to pray reflectively together. Using the Examen, a prayer exercise rooted in the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, we will together pray to discern and reflect in specific ways about the interrelationship between Gospel values and political engagement. Students, administrators, faculty, and staff lead this video prayer experience that you can view on The University of Scranton YouTube channel here. 

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