Whole Class Instruction
Voting in Person on Election Day
❑ If you're in Philadelphia, watch this video: ExpressVote XL - Using a Philadelphia Voting Machine. If you aren't in Philly, google which type of machine or ballot your county uses and see if there are any resources that show how to vote in your county.
❑ Find your polling place: Your polling location is printed on your voter registration card, however it’s important to check online because many polling locations have changed due to COVID-19. Find your polling location.
❑ Polls are open from 7am to 8pm on Election Day.
❑ Make a plan to go to the polls. Research shows that thinking through a plan to vote ahead of time dramatically increases voter turnout. Schools will be closed on Election Day, but do you have to work? Do you have childcare, appointments, or other responsibilities on Election Day?
❑ What form of ID will you bring?_________ Acceptable Forms of ID for First-Time Voters include PennDOT ID, Driver’s License, US passport, Voter Registration Card, student ID. You only need to show ID the first time you vote at a polling place, but it’s always good to have with you.
❑ What time of day will you vote? _______ Allow time to wait in line. Lines are usually longest in the morning and evening, and shortest in the afternoon. You must be in line by 8pm to vote. Stay in line! Your vote is important!
❑ How will you get there? _______ Will you walk, skate, ride, drive, use public transit, mosey, or sashay?
❑ Who will you bring with you? __________________ Go with friends or family. Bring younger siblings or cousins. They love to push the buttons and get a sticker (as long as you make the choices).
❑ Go VOTE!
❑ Take an “I voted because ____” selfie for Instagram and tag @PAyouthvote
❑ Do an “I voted because ____” dance for the #DanceThatJawn Tik Tok Challenge!
Voting with a Provisional Ballot:
❑ Problem voting? If for any reason you are told you cannot cast a ballot, and you believe you are eligible, ask for a provisional ballot at your polling place. The Judge of Elections must allow you to vote provisionally. You will be given a paper ballot to complete in the polling place. If the election is close, voters that cast provisional ballots will be investigated for eligibility and their votes will count if valid.
❑ Call the Election Protection Program 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) if you need help, if someone is denied the right to vote, or if you observe or suspect any wrongdoing in a polling place or with regards to mail-in ballots.
- English: 866-OUR-VOTE (Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law)
- Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (NALEO Educational Fund)
- Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US (Arab American Institute (AAI)
- Asian Languages/English: 888-API-VOTE
Check for Understanding
Don’t let anything stand in your way! Quiz or activity: Pose common roadblocks and problems and ask what students should do to make sure their vote is counted, for example:
❑ You don’t have a PennDOT ID.
❑ Your mail-in ballot never came.
❑ Your name isn’t in the book at your polling place.
❑ Your boss says you have to work a double shift on Election Day.
❑ The poll worker says your signature doesn’t match and you can’t vote.
❑ The line is crazy long.
