September 24, 2020

On November 3, 2020 — Election Day — the University will close at 2 p.m. to allow time for the Drexel community to vote. We ask that all faculty teaching courses that day please plan to teach asynchronously, if possible, and provide flexibility and support for students who may be working the polls.

We want to credit the Undergraduate Student Government Association for proposing and championing the early closing in an effort to combat low voter turnout, as well as the deans and Faculty Senate for strongly supporting it. We sincerely thank them all for their leadership on this important initiative.

Earlier this week, Drexel's Office of Government and Community Relations shared important reminders and resources regarding voting this year. In case you missed it, some of those resources are listed again below. Additionally, any students, faculty and professional staff who wish to become poll workers in Philadelphia can apply at philadelphiavotes.com/en/election-board-officials/pollworker.

Drexel Resources

• Drexel Libraries' comprehensive Drexel Votes resource page
• Office of Government and Community Relations' Drexel Votes website
• FAQs for students and first-time voters
• Pennsylvania voter registration forms are available in the Creese Student Center (32nd and Chestnut streets) at the front desk. You must complete the form and return/mail it to your county.

Closing early is one more step in supporting voter turnout as part of our 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

Paul E. Jensen 
Executive Vice President
Nina Henderson Provost

Subir Sahu
Senior Vice President for Student Success