When is the deadline to register to vote?
The deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania for the May 20, 2025, primary election is May 5. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for this election is May 13.
You can review election dates, deadlines and rules for any state at vote.org.
Can out-of-state students register to vote here?
Absolutely. You can register to vote in PA at your residence hall or apartment.
I am registered in Philadelphia, but I will not be in Philadelphia on Election Day. How can I still vote?
For students/faculty/staff who will be physically absent from Philadelphia county for the May 20, 2025, primary election, you can vote by mail by requesting an absentee or mail-in ballot by May 13. It is in your best interests to apply for an absentee ballot and return your completed ballot as soon as possible. Please refer to the City Commissioners’ website for more information on mail-in and absentee ballot requirements.
Can students already registered in PA register at their resident hall address?
Yes. All they have to do is check "change of address" at the top of the voter registration form.
What is my address?
Residence hall address follows the format in the table below, and the county and municipality are both "Philadelphia".
| Residence Hall |
Address Format |
| Bentley Hall |
Your Name
Your Room #
3301 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
|
| Caneris Hall |
Your Name
Your Room #
115 N. 32nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
|
| Kelly Hall |
Your Name
Your Room #
203 N. 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
|
| North Hall |
Your Name
Your Room #
3200 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
|
| Race Street Residences |
Your Name
Your Room #
3300 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
|
| Towers Hall |
Your Name
Your Room #
101 N. 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
|
| Van Rensselaer Hall |
Your Name
Your Room #
3320 Powelton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
|
| University Crossings |
Your Name
Your Apt. #
3175 JFK Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
|
Can I register to vote online?
Yes. In Pennsylvania, you can register to vote online at vote.pa.gov. For all other states, you can find out how to register by searching vote.org.
How does absentee or mail-in voting work?
In Pennsylvania, for the May 20, 2025, primary election, you must request your ballot by May 13 at 5 p.m., in order to vote absentee or by mail. It is in your best interests to do so as soon as possible so you will receive your ballot with enough time to fill it out and return it. Ballots must be received (not postmarked) by your county Board of Elections by May 20 at 8 p.m. in order to be counted. Also, when filling out your ballot, be sure to follow all directions, including placing your completed ballot in the secrecy (inner) envelope before placing it in the outer envelope to be mailed or returned to a dropbox, and signing and dating the outer envelope. Failure to use the secrecy envelope or properly sign and date your ballot will result in your vote not being counted. For complete instructions, please visit vote.pa.gov.
You can put your completed ballot in the mail or, if voting in Philadelphia, drop it at any of the secure drop-off locations provided by the City of Philadelphia, including the satellite election office at 4029 Market Street (see list of dropbox locations). You must return your own ballot and cannot do so for anyone else.
You cannot return your mail-in ballot at your polling place.
You can locate a mailbox close to you using the USPS locator tool. Mailbox locations close to campus include:
- 34th and Market Streets
- 34th and Race Streets
- 34th and Powelton Avenue
- 32nd and Chestnut Streets, outside the Left Bank building
- 30th and Chestnut Streets, inside the US Post Office
- 30th Street Station Lobby
If you are voting in Philadelphia, you can also return your ballot at any of the secure drop-off locations provided by the City of Philadelphia, including at City Hall or at the satellite election office at 4029 Market Street (see list of dropbox locations). You must return your own ballot and cannot do so for anyone else.
If I requested a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania, can I change my mind and vote in person on Election Day instead?
Yes. Please wait for your mail-in-ballot to arrive in the mail. You will then need to surrender your ballot and the envelope on Election Day to your polling place to be turned in and voided, and then you can vote in person on your county's voting system. If you do not have your mail-in ballot, you can vote by provisional ballot.
Can I register at my residence hall if I am already registered at my parents' address?
Yes. You can register at your residence hall, but if you do, you have to vote here. You can't register at both places and decide later where to vote.
Registering at your residence hall is more convenient for students because you don't have to get an absentee ballot or go home to vote.
What ID do I need at the polls?
In Pennsylvania, if you are voting at a polling location for the first time, you need to show identification. A Drexel ID is acceptable. For a complete list of acceptable documents, please visit the City Commissioners' website.
The non-partisan organization VoteRiders has detailed information on voter ID rules in all 50 states.
Where is my polling place?
The Daskalakis Athletic Center is the polling place for all residence halls, located at 33rd and Market Streets. Houses north of Powelton Avenue have a different polling place. You can find the polling place for any address at vote.pa.gov.
Will registering to vote in PA disrupt financial aid?
No. Financial aid packages will not be affected by registering to vote in PA.
Can I be a poll worker?
Yes. Students/faculty/staff who wish to become a poll worker, please visit vote.pa.gov and fill out the application. The Philadelphia City Commissioner’s Office will be in touch with you.
Can I change my party registration?
Yes. You can change it as many times as you wish up to the deadline for the general election.
Does it matter what party I register for?
You do not have to register with a specific party, and no matter what party you put down, you will be able to vote for any candidate in the general election. Pennsylvania has closed primaries, which means your party registration does impact which candidates you can vote for in primary elections (only members of your own party). Again, party affiliation does not impact your vote in the general election.
Where do I learn about the candidates and where they stand on issues?
Great question! The Committee of Seventy is a non-partisan source for background information on candidates and issues in Pennsylvania. The candidate's websites have issues pages you should check out.