Drexel Closing Early on Election Day, November 8

Dear Students and Colleagues,

On Tuesday, November 8 — Election Day — the University will close at 2 p.m. to allow time for the Drexel community to vote. Although classes will not be cancelled, faculty are encouraged to be flexible when possible and supportive of students who may be working the polls.

In addition to the early closing, full-time, benefits-eligible professional staff members can receive one hour of paid time off to vote by recording it as “Civic Engagement Time” on their time sheet or leave report. Eligible professional staff members can also use additional paid time off to work the polls in a non-partisan capacity by following the instructions for arranging an “independent civic engagement activity.” For information on how to record time off, please visit the Human Resources site.

A broad-based group of student organizations, particularly the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA), as well as schools, colleges and administrative offices, including the Office of Government and Community Relations and the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, have been working to inform and encourage our campus community to participate in the election process. For the third year, USGA has proposed and championed the University’s early closing in an effort to combat low voter turnout. We would like to thank all of these groups for their leadership.

This year, Pennsylvania voters will be voting for a new governor, an open U.S. Senate seat, all U.S. and state House races and certain state Senate races. Drexel has several resources to help prepare you for the vote:

Drexel Resources and Events

• Drexel Libraries' guide to voting in Pennsylvania and U.S. Elections
• The Office of Government and Community Relations’ Drexel Votes webpage
• FAQs for students and first-time voters
• “Decode Voting” on October 6 and October 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. with the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement and the Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion; Drexel Votes is also hosting a tabling event at the Dragon statue at 33rd and Market streets from noon-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11, with voter information and registration forms.
• Join USGA for a Civic Engagement Service Fair on November 8, during which student groups and community organizations will showcase their service initiatives. Information about the fair and other community service opportunities leading up to Election Day will be shared on Instagram @drexelusga or by contacting usga@drexel.edu.

City and State Resources

• October 24, 2022, is Pennsylvania’s registration deadline. Eligible Pennsylvania citizens can register to vote online at vote.pa.gov/register.
• Students, faculty and professional staff who wish to become poll workers in Philadelphia can apply via the Philadelphia City Commissioners’ website.

Supporting voter turnout is an important part of the University’s commitment to civic engagement. The rest is up to each of us as voters. We hope you will take advantage of this extra time on Election Day and make a plan for when you will vote.

Sincerely,

John Fry
President

Helen Y. Bowman
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer

Paul E. Jensen 
Executive Vice President
Nina Henderson Provost

Subir Sahu
Senior Vice President for Student Success