Frequently Asked Questions
Most American citizens 18 years of age or older have the right to vote in the jurisdiction within which they reside. The right to vote of individuals convicted of a felony varies from state to state. In Pennsylvania and Maryland, individuals convicted of a felony are ineligible to vote while imprisoned; they regain the right immediately upon release.
Procedures for voter registration vary by state.
In Pennsylvania, one must register to vote at least 15 days before the election. For the April 23, 2024 primary election the last day to register is April 8. One can register to vote in ONLINE , BY MAIL , or in person. The location for in-person registration closest to Shippensburg University is the Cumberland County Bureau of Elections (1601 Ritner Highway, Suite 201, Carlisle, PA).
You can verify your voter registration status HERE .
Maryland practices automatic voter registration; individuals are registered to vote automatically when they interact with some state agencies (e.g., the Motor Vehicle Administration). Verify your voter registration status HERE .
The last day to register to vote online in Maryland is 21 days before the election. You may also register by MAIL or in person at local boards of elections or Motor Vehicle Administration offices. Maryland also practices same-day voter-registration. This means that one can register to vote at polling sites at the same time one votes. This can be done on election day or during early voting (the 8 days leading up to the election).
If you are a residential college student, you can register to vote using EITHER your college address or your hometown address (not both).
If you live on campus, your mailing address is different from your residential address. The Pennsylvania voter registration form asks for both. Enter the following:
Residential address:
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257
Mailing address:
408 Lancaster Drive
Box # (YOUR assigned mailbox number)
Shippensburg, PA 17257
In Pennsylvania, one must register to vote at least 15 days before the election. For the April 23, 2024 primary election the last day to register is April 8, 2024.
In Maryland, the last day to register to vote online is 21 days prior to the election. Maryland also practices same-day voter-registration. This means that one can register to vote at polling sites at the same time one votes. This can be done on election day or during early voting (8 days prior to the election).
Who is permitted to vote by mail varies by state. In both Pennsylvania and Maryland, anyone is able to vote by mail, and no one is required to present a reason why they need a mail-in ballot.
Absentee ballots are for people who will be away from their election precinct at the time of the election. Mail-in ballots are for anyone, regardless of where one will be at the time of the election. In practice there are no real differences, as in neither Pennsylvania or Maryland is one required to give reasons for either mail-in or absentee ballots.
This can be done online in both PENNSYLVANIA and MARYLAND.
In Pennsylvania, to receive a mail-in ballot for the April 23, 2024 primary election, you must apply to vote by mail by 5PM on April 16, 2024. Your mail-in ballot must be delivered to your county election office by 8PM on April 23 either by mail or dropped off in-person. In practice, this means you should mail it no later than April 18 to ensure it will be counted.
Identification requirements vary by state.
In Pennsylvania, one only needs to present identification when one is voting for the first time in a precinct. Acceptable identification includes a PA driver’s license, U.S. passport, armed forces ID, student ID, employee ID, or current bank statement.
In Maryland, most voters do not need to present identification when voting in person. One only need present identification if one’s identity is challenged, if they didn’t present sufficient ID when registering by mail or online, or if one registers or changes one’s address during early voting.
Your polling place depends on the address at which you are registered to vote.
Find your polling place:
The 2024 primary election takes place in Pennsylvania on April 23, 2024. The 2024 primary election takes place in Maryland on May 14, 2024.
In both Pennsylvania and Maryland, polling places will be open from 7AM to 8PM. Pennsylvania does not practice early voting, so in-person voting can only occur on election day itself. Maryland does practice early voting, so one can vote at one’s polling place beginning 8 days prior to the election itself.
Yes, Shippensburg University will provide free transportation between campus and the Shippensburg Township polling place at different times on April 23. More information coming soon.