University of Pennsylvania

09/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2024 13:21

By the Numbers: National Voter Registration Day

Sept. 17 is National Voter Registration Day. While voters still have over a month to register (Oct. 21 is the Pennsylvania deadline), the day brings awareness to the upcoming deadline, especially for young people who may be voting in their first election this fall.

Sept. 17 also marks Constitution Day, recognizing the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. On this date in 1787 in Philadelphia, the 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, including Penn founder Benjamin Franklin, signed the Constitution in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now Independence Hall.

The date also signifies Citizenship Day, celebrating people who have become naturalized U.S. citizens.

Campus-wide, nonpartisan events acknowledge this day. Penn's Office of Government and Community Affairswill be in front of the LOVE statue from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. registering voters, answering questions about voting, and giving away pocket-sized copies of the Constitution.

The Penn Bookstorewill have a special Constitution Day-themed book display, and the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civicsis hosting Constitution Day-themed events: "A Conversation With Ms. Opal Lee: Juneteenth and the Constitution,"a webinar exploring the themes of freedom, equality, and storytelling at noon, and a live-stream of the historical documentary "The Eighth Amendment: Cruel and Unusual Punishment"at Eastern State Penitentiaryat 2 p.m.

On Sept. 18, the School of Nursingwill launch "Nurses for the Vote, Chart the Future," a partnership with the Office of Government and Community Affairs aimed at increasing voter registration and civic engagement among students and the community. Students will receive training on the Vote-ER platform, as well as additional tools and digital assets to engage with the community and help them register.

Following are some statistics leading up to election day.

  • 34

    Days left to register to vote in Pennsylvania

  • 49

    Days left to Election Day

  • 42

    Days left to request a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania

  • 8

    Number of polling places on campus

  • 7 a.m.

    Election Day polling place opening time

  • 8 p.m.

    Election Day polling place closing time

  • 40+

    Number of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and neighbors volunteering to work at campus polling places

  • 6,500

    Number of voter-registration forms distributed in Move-In welcome bags

  • 500

    Number of voter packets distributed on National Voter Registration Day